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High diastolic reading after low BP all my life: Cause for concern?
I am 77 yrs old and all my life I have had low blood pressure. About 4 weeks ago it started running on the high diastolic side. I exercise daily about an hour and a half, eat healthy, and have lost 60 pounds. I have health issues, arrythmia, been on meds for almost 35 yrs, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, bone spurs and a pinched nerve in my back, and diabetes, whish is in control by my diet, no meds. My PCP has me keeping a record every 3 hours for a week. This is my 3rd day. This new problem doesn't bother me much, didn't realize it was high for a while, maybe 2 weeks. I usually check my b/p once a week but had stopped. Do I worry about it? No, just wondering what could have caused it all at once. I have blood work 3 times a year. Just odd!
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Diastolic pressure changes can come from body changes, imposed or naturally occurring due to the aging process, or to kidney disease, endocrine system defects or changes, medications or combinations of them, diet, electrolyte imbalance, or due to enlargement of the left ventricle, especially due to arrhythmia....or....to the high blood pressure, which would have come first.
By 'enlargement', I don't mean it has begun to balloon in size. I mean the walls have begun to hypertrophy, to thicken, and that is in response to having to pump against higher pressures. This is well established in the literature.
Worry? Sure, but not overly, and you'll get a diagnosis pretty soon it seems. You're in the pipeline for medical care. There will be a diagnosis, and probably some steps you can take to improve your hypertension, even if it means taking a drug.
Worry? Maybe, but this in a new and sudden issue, not something that has been brewing and growing for a few years unannounced. You have been taking frequent measurements, and this is a new development. There's an answer, and little damage typical for those with chronic hypertension will be present in all likelihood. You learned of the condition quickly, and it should be treatable and made better in short order. Time will tell.
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4 ReactionsHi @jaw77, and welcome to Connect. After having low blood pressure all your life, I can see why a sudden change in your diastolic readings would make you wonder what has changed.
You’re already gathering information that only you can provide by tracking your blood pressure every three hours for your PCP. As you continue, I wonder if you’ll begin to see a pattern. Have you noticed anything else that changed around the time your diastolic readings began running higher?
You might also find this Mayo Clinic Health System article, “Know your numbers: Blood pressure,” helpful. It explains what the systolic and diastolic numbers actually measure and provides some context for the ranges we hear about when talking about blood pressure.
- Know your numbers: Blood pressure
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/know-your-numbers-blood-pressure
What have your diastolic readings been running compared with what was typical for you before?
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2 Reactionsjaw, you'll want to find out why your diastolic is high. You don't say how high. It can be as simple as increased salt intake, especially if you've been eating out lately, more complex if it is kidney or thyroid trouble. I'd check meds first decongestants, NSAIDS, supplements and of course anything prescriptive. Are you doing anything new?
I hope that it's your blood pressure gadget needing calibration.
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1 Reaction@jlharris
I usually have sort of low, 70/45, to 100/60. Same meds I have been on for years. My PCP and I are both scratching our heads, his nurse calls every day checking on me, it has finally stopped going up with last 2 days being 150 something over 60's.
Odd!
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1 ReactionI double checked what diastolic means just to be sure I was on the right. The number means when your heart is at rest. Google it and see if you are comfortable with what is on the different medical site like the Mayo Clinic site and others.
I would be questioning things too, if it was me
I hope you find your answers
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1 Reaction@jaw77 Hi- if I understand your post, your systolic is up if you’re now 150/60. Systolic is a different deal. But as previously noted, you’re getting what sounds like good care. Good luck!
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2 Reactions@jlharsh For older Adults:
https://www.bing.com/search
@gently
I am on same meds, exercise same time ever day, clean house, cook, and I do eat healthy.
I am not stressed at all, my rule of thumb, if I can't figure it out, let go and let God.
It's just something different. I very seldom go out and eat, if I can do it at home why waste money! LOL
My kidneys and thyroid are fine, and I can't take decongestants, I am beginning to think it's the weather!
I have 2 B/P gizmos and it's the same on both! Just something weird! Doctor always tells me I'm his problem child! I have had cancer 4 times and had to get through the surgeries with Tylenol. I am allergic to pain meds. Thankfully I have a high threshold for pain!
@gently
Also the highest it's been is 173/106. When it goes to 150, I get an awful headache.