Could you have low blood pressure and heart desease at the same time?

Question

I am 40 yrs old, smoker. (i know, but Ive been down to 5 a day for a long time now... Im trying) I have lately had a very stiff left arm, sometimes sore, sometimes up on top of my shoulder and stiff neck. Sometimes my left fingers wake up numb. Both my parents have heart desease, but didnt get it till much older. Should I just excersize more, and not bother with doctor? I take excedrine daily so I wont have a heart attack. Can I prevent one totally that way? Thankyou

Answer 1

Yes, you can have low blood pressure and heart disease at the same time. They aren't mutually exclusive health problems. Your arm pain and stiffness may be a pinched nerve or something similar, but due to the history of heart disease in your immediate family (and, yes, because you're a smoker), I'd definitely see a doctor about it.
Exercising more, in general, is a good rule, but I'd find out about the heart disease first, as strenuous exertion can bring about heart failure, too. Check with your doctor about it.
As far as aspirin therapy, again, check with your doctor. Self-medicating without knowing all the facts is never a good idea. But aspirin therapy definitely won't totally prevent a heart attack. It is simply an additional aid for people at risk of a heart attack.

Answer 2

3 years ago, I was diagnosed - hypertension with a reading of 160/100. I used to feel dizzy a lot, my legs had awful cramps, and levels were very low in my potassium, causing my fingers and toes to always cramp together. One day I started to feel really faint while I was driving with my daughter in the back seat and I passed out, hitting 3 cars and ending up in a ditch. That moment,I knew I had to do something because my meds weren't working. I heard about this diet from a friend and thought I'd give it a shot. The results have been remarkable. In just 21 days, I honestly can't remember feeling this good, my blood pressure went from 175/110 to 125/70.

Answer 3

my suggestion to you would be to see a cardiologist (heart doctor) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. being that youre a smoker, have a family history of heart disease, and older (not saying youre old by any means!), and are having some pains in that left arm, i would say youre a candidate for a cardiologist. excedrin alone will NOT prevent a heart attack. it may lessen your risk slightly, however, because youre smoking and sounds like not exercising, the excedrin is probably doing little good for you. your best bet is to consult with a cardiologist, discuss your symptoms, have him/her run some tests, and discuss changes in lifestyle, such as an exercise program, changes in diet (lowering fat and sodium, increasing omega-3 oils), and perhaps some medications. oh, and yes, you can have low blood pressure and heart disease simultaneously. you may have plaque forming in your hearts arteries which is technically heart disease, but it may not force your heart to work harder (which would make for high blood pressure). anyways, go to a doctor! Stacy, RN

Answer 4

The combination of the numbness, shoulder and neck pain and smoking are alarm bells.

Go to the doctor. Have him do an EKG and try you out on a stress test (probably on a treadmill).

You don't say what kind of daily activity you do - work, lay around, whatever - but you will want to discuss your activities with the doctor, also. And, tell him about your diet - all of it. Also, tell him if you drink, and how much. This one visit - totally honest visit - can save your life.

Good luck! - Stuart

Answer 5

Couple of suggestions...First, see a doctor. You have family history on both sides of heart disease which is a primary risk factor. Second you smoke..again another huge risk factor. Stiffness and soreness in your arm and numbness doesn't necessarily mean it is related to heart disease but you have every reason to be concerned. Please stop smoking..that alone could decrease your risk factors..I have seen many patients in the ER who were young and healthy, exercised and ate well but their only risk factor was SMOKING...they came in with chest pain having huge heart attacks..so again as I sound like a broken record see a doctor as soon as possible for your own future.

Answer 6

first get a medical check - its the only way you will know

if you are ok give up smoking and start exercising

you will add at least 10 years to your life

at the moment you are at huge risk particularly with the family history

Answer 7

stop smoking your blood pressure maybe connect to heart disease especially with those pains on your left side only a MD can tell for sure
or the emt's who will be answering your911 call will

Answer 8

Go to your doctor immediately. Tell him what you told us and he/she will run the appropriate tests. 40 is not to young for heart disease - get checked.

Answer 9

FIRST YOU re A SMOKER..THAT IS NOT GOOD. iT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ALSO MIGHT HAVE POOR CIRCULATION. hAVE SOMEONE TAKE YOUR B/P AND BY ALL MEANS LADY GO SEE A DR.