My husband's blood pressure dropped to 105/55. Dangerous?

Question

He just had a pacemaker put in three weeks ago. Doctor's post-op checkup two days ago was fine. Heart rate is good. Is the drop in blood pressure this morning a problem? I can't find anything about low blood pressure illness in my medical book.

Answer 1

That is within the range of normal for most adults. You will want to compare this reading to his normal baseline readings. For example, what have his three most recent morning blood pressure results been prior to this one? What is his pulse rate at these times? Does it match the expected pacemaker settings? Is it higher or lower than expected? Was this blood pressure taken during rest or after activity? All of these will affect the reading.

Not knowing what his heart condition was that required the use of a pacemaker limits what general informaiton I can give.

However, in general, an abnormally low blood pressure will produce symptoms that may include light headedness, dizziness, a loss of consciousness and cool extremities. The range generally considered "low" is a top (systolic) reading of less than 90 and a bottom (diastolic) reading less than 60. However, many healthy people have bottom (diatolic) readings of zero! This is because of the bottom reading reflects the pressure needed for blood returning to the heart to fill it. The lower the resistance to filling, the lower the bottom number. 55 is not anything to worry about in an of itself.

Things your husband can do:

Change position slowly. When getting up from a lying position, sit quietly on the side of the bed or sofa for a few minutes to allow blood flow to equilbrate. When standing, hold on to a solid object for a moment until he is sure that he doesn
't feel dizzy.

Monitor the apical (over the heart) rate with a stethoscope and compare it to the radial (wrist) pulse rate. That will tell the doctor information about the blood perfusion. The number should match or be within two beats of each other allowing for counting errors.

Report any symptoms of chest pressure, pain, dizziness or loss of consciousness.

In all likelihood, your husband's blood pressure is just fine if he is not experiencing any symptoms.

Your health care provider is the person who can interpret al of the findings and help you to feel comfortable with your husband's pacemaker and the care he requires to stay healthy!

Other things which can affect the blood pressure are medications such as nitroglycerin, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, antihypertensive medication, pain medication, sedatives, over the counter cold and allergy medications, antidepressive medications, and some herbs and supplements.

Answer 2

Same here. I have extremely low blood pressure. I tend to collapse a lot, for example when standing up too quickly. Everything just goes black and I collapse. Well, there are a couple of possibilities. One is to artificially raise your blood pressure with stuff like coffee, red bull, cigarettes - but i REALLY wouldn't recomment that. Another possibility is that you start working out regularily, EVERY day for half an hour. At first, fast walks will do, after you get used to that, start running or go to an aerobics class. Don't forget healthy diet! Your veins will improve, your heart will get stronger and your basal metabolism will speed up. All this prevents too low blood pressure. As a side effect, you'll feel more energetic, you'll lose waight and you'll improve the general quality of your life.

Answer 3

It depends what your husband's normal blood pressure is. If this is dramatically different from normal it may be a problem if he is on heart medication. If the drop is say 30 or more points, yes it may be dangerous, keep an eye on it and see the doctor if it persists. Encourage your husband to take his time when getting up from a lying or sitting position, this could cause him to faint if he gets up too fast. If the drop is 10 to 20 points then no it is not dangerous, just monitor it.

Answer 4

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 5

You should read "The Blood Pressure Solution" (also available in electronic format, watch the video presentation here: http://www.fixbloodpressure.com ) It's a very comprehensive step-by-step book that walks you through the natural remedies of high blood pressure. It provides you with a lot of information on what foods to eat, how you can acquire and prepare these foods, how you can change your lifestyle for the better, how to eliminate the toxins from your body, how to reduce stress, how you can check your blood pressure level the correct way etc.

The book is amazing in that it not only lowers your blood pressure without the help of medications; it also aids you in having a life that is healthy, happier, and less stressful. This book chanced my life.

Answer 6

The blood pressure is acceptable. If you check it again later in the afternoon, you will probably get a higher reading. Just remind your husband not to stand up quickly or go from lying to sitting too fast because he may develop something called orthostatic hypotension which can make him light headed and he could fall.

Answer 7

No that is not dangerous at all

That is my normal pressure in fact I went to give blood at the Red Cross and myt pressure was 100/54 and they still took blood.

Answer 8

Call his doctor right away a sudden drop in blood pressure after a surgical procedure is cause for concern, but not necessarily alarm.

Answer 9

I am an EMT and I would think this would be a question for his Doctor. On that note though I would have to say that I would be concerned and would seek medical advice, if only to be on the safe side.

Answer 10

Well it depends on what his blood pressure was before. Is he on any antihyperstensive medications.