Blood pressure drops often on through the day

Posted by fitchizumi @fitchizumi, Aug 1, 2022

Blood pressure drops often through the day. Had ASA June 2018. The past two years blood pressure has been dropping have passed out twice. last October in cardiologist office. Taken off Valsartan20 mg. Blood pressure is all over the place. It it goes above 150 I take 20 mg valsartan. Dr.” take salt water“. ideas?

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Hi @fitchizumi,
There are a few members that have had the same issue with blood pressure dropping and passing out.
members like @tob, @hollywoodal and @lacy2
You might want to look at these two conversations as well.
Low blood pressure, dizzy after Bypass Surgery: Suggestions?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bypass-surgery-1/
Reoccurring Event
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-a-recurrenting-event-in-which-my-blood-pressure-drops-tofitchizumi

What is your current sodium intake?

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@amandaa

Hi @fitchizumi,
There are a few members that have had the same issue with blood pressure dropping and passing out.
members like @tob, @hollywoodal and @lacy2
You might want to look at these two conversations as well.
Low blood pressure, dizzy after Bypass Surgery: Suggestions?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bypass-surgery-1/
Reoccurring Event
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-a-recurrenting-event-in-which-my-blood-pressure-drops-tofitchizumi

What is your current sodium intake?

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Since 1976 I stop using salt dr.told me very bad for you. I live in a life care community and we get one meal a day and a lot of the salt is in the soups. My doctor told me when my pressure drops to have some salt water. I’m doing that it helps,but I could have a drop three or four times a day. So I’m not sure of the salt consumption.

REPLY
@amandaa

Hi @fitchizumi,
There are a few members that have had the same issue with blood pressure dropping and passing out.
members like @tob, @hollywoodal and @lacy2
You might want to look at these two conversations as well.
Low blood pressure, dizzy after Bypass Surgery: Suggestions?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bypass-surgery-1/
Reoccurring Event
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-a-recurrenting-event-in-which-my-blood-pressure-drops-tofitchizumi

What is your current sodium intake?

Jump to this post

I now put salt on the appropriate meals, if I get lightheaded, I just grind some salt in my hand and follow it with water. Always feel much better. As a young man in Southeast Asia, we took salt tablets. When I did, I felt like I just got an energy burst. I've read several articles on salt intake. One thing I've learned is nobody seems to agree. I usually go with the answer that makes sense. My experience is few doctors use logic. Maybe its liability, they don't want to step outside the box. I control my BP with supplements. Very few side effects.

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@hollywoodal

I now put salt on the appropriate meals, if I get lightheaded, I just grind some salt in my hand and follow it with water. Always feel much better. As a young man in Southeast Asia, we took salt tablets. When I did, I felt like I just got an energy burst. I've read several articles on salt intake. One thing I've learned is nobody seems to agree. I usually go with the answer that makes sense. My experience is few doctors use logic. Maybe its liability, they don't want to step outside the box. I control my BP with supplements. Very few side effects.

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Nurse practitioner told me I should be using electrolytes also plus salt. why my blood pressure drops. I don’t know if that’s the right answer. The cardiologist I have has never had a patient with alcohol septal ablation treatment. She has HCN patients that’s it. I’ve been trying electrolytes but it doesn’t seem to help. I’m exhausted all the time plus I have a fib a lot. Thank you for your information I really appreciate it

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@fitchizumi

Nurse practitioner told me I should be using electrolytes also plus salt. why my blood pressure drops. I don’t know if that’s the right answer. The cardiologist I have has never had a patient with alcohol septal ablation treatment. She has HCN patients that’s it. I’ve been trying electrolytes but it doesn’t seem to help. I’m exhausted all the time plus I have a fib a lot. Thank you for your information I really appreciate it

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I'm no doctor, but over the last 9 years I've had to learn to defend myself. My first cardiologist gave me a Low-flow TIA, then didn't have the guts to even show up at the hospital. Three days in the hospital and nobody knew what was going on, even though I had documentation of what was happening. One doctor on a walk-through said, "It looks like you've solved you own problem."
They let me go home with no instructions. Next cardiologist kept overdosing me for three years. Example: I have a low heart rate 54. He had me on a beta blocker to reduce BP. The beta blocker has hundreds of interactions, and he slows your heart rate. Results for four years, heart rate 41, BP 90s/40s, if you don't believe I still have all the correspondence. I had severe side effects, won't list them all. His recommendation was to put me on a pacemaker????? I suggested we look are a beta blocker with an ISA, he thought that was a good idea. A few weeks later I had another low-flow TIA, this time I knew what it was. Switched hospitals and doctors. I agree with your nurse, she seems to be using good logic. I use gator aid in the summer when I work outside.

Another study I ran across trying to defend myself is for people over 70, it recommended that you should try to keep your diastolic BP above 70. I am a strong believer in AI. if they develop an accurate database, I think it would eliminate all the prejudices and lack of interest from the doctors. Does it make sense for older people (70s) to shoot for 120/80. Many articles say that you should weigh the side efforts over trying to force the 120/80 rule. I am not a doctor; this is just what I've had to do to survive. You are lucky to have found that nurse. m

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Hi, yes the nurse teaches in the hospital for nursing student Mostly with graduate students. Pacemaker 2018 After alcohol septal ablation, no LBBB.
Pacemaker set at 70, when blood pressure drops below 140/90 I start feeling the effects, my walking is off, brain fog, I feel like I’m gonna black out. I don’t drink Gatorade I can’t stand the taste but, I drink propel electrolyte drink. No sugar! I can’t drive haven’t been driving close to six years. Fainting started 1980 I find myself on the ground,cardiologist said it was because of low BP. I have been describing my symptoms forever no one made connection except me. They kept changing pills but that didn’t work.I log All my readings, and they’re all over the place. My two sons, Grandson, and first cousin have HCM, other grandchildren have been tested yet. I agree we have to be our own advocates. My husband comes with me to every appointment and he writes down everything in book. ASA was done 600 miles from my home hard for me to get back. Center of excellence.So I see a local cardio. I have great difficulty riding in car don’t know if it’s because my BP Is causing problems. I have A fib very comfortable in 140/90 ‘s if I go for above 150 I have to have to take a 20 mg Valsartan. On Eliquis twice a day ,three years to get off Xarelto I missed three years of my life because I was close to comatose. Told doctor I wasn’t taking anymore. we’re just numbers in the doctors office and you’re absolutely right you must be our own advocate.

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@fitchizumi

Hi, yes the nurse teaches in the hospital for nursing student Mostly with graduate students. Pacemaker 2018 After alcohol septal ablation, no LBBB.
Pacemaker set at 70, when blood pressure drops below 140/90 I start feeling the effects, my walking is off, brain fog, I feel like I’m gonna black out. I don’t drink Gatorade I can’t stand the taste but, I drink propel electrolyte drink. No sugar! I can’t drive haven’t been driving close to six years. Fainting started 1980 I find myself on the ground,cardiologist said it was because of low BP. I have been describing my symptoms forever no one made connection except me. They kept changing pills but that didn’t work.I log All my readings, and they’re all over the place. My two sons, Grandson, and first cousin have HCM, other grandchildren have been tested yet. I agree we have to be our own advocates. My husband comes with me to every appointment and he writes down everything in book. ASA was done 600 miles from my home hard for me to get back. Center of excellence.So I see a local cardio. I have great difficulty riding in car don’t know if it’s because my BP Is causing problems. I have A fib very comfortable in 140/90 ‘s if I go for above 150 I have to have to take a 20 mg Valsartan. On Eliquis twice a day ,three years to get off Xarelto I missed three years of my life because I was close to comatose. Told doctor I wasn’t taking anymore. we’re just numbers in the doctors office and you’re absolutely right you must be our own advocate.

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Is it because people are older that they get this kind of treatment? Medical care feels generic, not individualized to meet patients needs. Or maybe it’s that we’re not used to being our own doctors.

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You’re right. For years I tried telling doctors somethings not right with my heart. I had to pass out in a medical lecture class, at a hospital, Taken to the emergency ward, testing told I have left ventricle hypertrophy. Not to worry about it. And being a woman it’s even harder. I had a male doctor tell me I didn’t know what I was talking about. Well I do know my own body and I will stand up for myself. For the last 15 years or so I see nothing women doctors. The male doctor that did my ASA listen to what I had to say, I did a lot of research read many articles including Dr. Maron. so he knew I was very knowledgeable. Plus it was a center of excellence. My problem started in 1980 and it took till 2016 for someone to say oh, you have HCM. Of course I had gone into a fib, BP dropped, passed out. Thank God it was a trauma hospital associated with a university now a Center of excellence. I have been in hospitals on both coasts.

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@fitchizumi

You’re right. For years I tried telling doctors somethings not right with my heart. I had to pass out in a medical lecture class, at a hospital, Taken to the emergency ward, testing told I have left ventricle hypertrophy. Not to worry about it. And being a woman it’s even harder. I had a male doctor tell me I didn’t know what I was talking about. Well I do know my own body and I will stand up for myself. For the last 15 years or so I see nothing women doctors. The male doctor that did my ASA listen to what I had to say, I did a lot of research read many articles including Dr. Maron. so he knew I was very knowledgeable. Plus it was a center of excellence. My problem started in 1980 and it took till 2016 for someone to say oh, you have HCM. Of course I had gone into a fib, BP dropped, passed out. Thank God it was a trauma hospital associated with a university now a Center of excellence. I have been in hospitals on both coasts.

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Hi Fitchzumi,
I read with great interest your post and identify with your history and struggle to get a correct diagnosis and your frustration with some male doctors who are dismissive. I think I may have Hpertrophic Cardiomyopathy but have not officially been diagnosed. Do you mind my asking where the Center of Excellence you referenced is located? I feel I need to be seen there. Thank you.

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@dimcdee

Hi Fitchzumi,
I read with great interest your post and identify with your history and struggle to get a correct diagnosis and your frustration with some male doctors who are dismissive. I think I may have Hpertrophic Cardiomyopathy but have not officially been diagnosed. Do you mind my asking where the Center of Excellence you referenced is located? I feel I need to be seen there. Thank you.

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Hi dimcdee, I don’t mind at all. First I belong to the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Association. HCMA they have a list of centers of excellence all over the country and some in Europe I believe. (973) 983-7429
66 Ford rd. Denville NJ 07834
I personally went to Westchester Medical Center
100 Woods Road Valhalla, N Y 10595
My doctor Srihari Naidu 1 914-598-7651
They have an excellent team and I was given wonderful care. Good luck check with the HCMA
Facebook: @4HCM.org. or 4HCM.org

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