Hypotension (low blood pressure)

[BigL]

Anyone else have it? I don't have it all the time but had a spell yesterday. I am in San Francisco and was at the bar of the hotel with a co-worker last night. I had a few drinks but nothing compared to what I normally drink. Well we had been sitting there for about 2 hours and was about to call it a night, I stood up and next thing I know I'm laying on the ground with my head on a seat cushion and being told to lay still an ambulance is on the way. I have a serious goose egg on my head from where I hit. They were surprised I didn't bust my head open I hit so hard. I don't remember anything between standing up and waking up. I got to the ER and my heart rate on check-in was 90/53. They said that it was a good sign that it increased that much on the ride. I still don't know what it was when they first checked me while I was laying on the ground but I know when they checked it they quickly grabbed the stretcher and put me on it and hurried me to the ambulance.

In all I spend about 4 hours in the ER. Had an EKG to monitor my heart. Then a CAT scan to check out my head to make sure no internal bleading. They said my BP had to be "normal" before they would discharge me. They let me go with it was 110/54.

Let's just say everyone in the office was surprised to see me there this morning. I figured the office was better than the hotel if I had any repeat. Luckily I didn't.

You would think that someone who is 6'3" about 285 lbs, eats a lot of red meat, pork, etc. would have high BP not low. In fact my last 3 meals before that was brisket and sausage plate, baby back ribs and fries, and a hamburger and fries.

Anyone else have the same problem and are you on medicine for it or any advice? I'm going to get checked out by my primary care physican next week when I get back to Austin.

[Bullydog]

Sorry to hear man...And no, Im the exact opposite. Mine was so high I almost stroked out a few weeks back.

Now my wife has always had low blood pressure, and it was particularly bad during her pregnancies.

[SCREAMINREELS]

austin heart has good cardiologists, might be good to see a cardiac guy...orthostatic hypotension is fairly common

[Jmh05]

Ya man, get it checked out...low BP can be very bad and just as dangerous as high BP.

[bloodtrail18]

Eat more salt and see your Doc.

[Epack]

definantly set up an appointment with a cardiologist, theres really three things that cause a hypotension induced syncopal episode, its either a container problem i.e ur blodvessels didnt constrict when they should have, a fluid problem i.e you were dehydrated , or a pump problem i.e your heart rate didnt speed up to compensate for the shift of fluids. the alcohol can cause some short term hypotension as well so you might could consider that

i wouldent worry too much but i would definantly not put it off.

Eric

[wrangler1]

get it checked, hope all stays well, god bless!

[BigL]

definantly set up an appointment with a cardiologist, theres really three things that cause a hypotension induced syncopal episode, its either a container problem i.e ur blodvessels didnt constrict when they should have, a fluid problem i.e you were dehydrated , or a pump problem i.e your heart rate didnt speed up to compensate for the shift of fluids. the alcohol can cause some short term hypotension as well so you might could consider that

i wouldent worry too much but i would definantly not put it off.

Eric

There was definitely some dehydration going on. Didn't drink anything on the flight the day before, worked out that morning, worked all day in meetings with nothing to drink, then started drinking. I actually stood up to stretch my leg because I was starting to get a cramp in my hamstring.

Other than that my diet should have had my BP sky high... brisket and sausage plate before I left Austin, baby back ribs and fries the day before. The day of the syncopal episode had steak sandwich with chips at lunch, then hamburger and fries right before.

[Bowtechlady]

It can be hereditary but for many years I was really low. It is starting to creep up now though. I freaked the doctors out at the hospital because mine was so low. They ran all kind of test on me and couldn't find anything. My mother had low blood pressure and my father had high blood pressure. I am at least glad I got it from my mom.

[BigL]

My dad had low blood pressure so I got it from him. Only problem is that I'm 6'3" and about 285. When I fall it hurts! The back of my head still hurts from where it hit the cement.

[FIRSTSHOT]

Hydrate hydrate! See your general prac. for a blood panel screen, resting ekg, and maybe stress test. Low blood pressure can be signs of cardiac or kidney abnormalities. What you experienced when you blacked out is called orthostatic hypotension. When you were seated, blood was pooled around your midsection, when you stand up it runs from your head down to your toes due to gravity. Blood flows away from your brain and causes the blackout. So next time your seated or lying down, make sure you take it slow when standing up. Salty foods and lots of water should help keep the low bp in check. But see your Doc!