Why is it that when you get sick, your pulse rate goes up but your blood pressure doesn't?

Question

I caught a cold from my son 3 weeks ago which turned into a severe sinus infection and I had to go to the dr. While I was there the nurse taking my vitals said that my blood pressure was very low and asked if that was normal for me (which it is), but when she took my pulse she said that it was very high and she was concerned. My resting rate was around 120 which is extremely high. It has been extremely high like this for 4 days now that I have noticed. (no telling how long it was like this before it was caught) I am on antibiotics now for the sinus infection and finally starting to feel a little bit better but my question is, is it normal for your pulse to race when you are not feeling well? Is this something that I should be concerned about? I am keeping an eye on it but just need a bit of advice.

Answer 1

If you have a fever it is normal for the heart rate to go up. It is also possible for the blood pressure to go down. The body vasodialates (naturally relaxes the muscles of the blood vessel walls) in order to allow the hot blood to get closer to the surface of the skin to try to cool down. This is also the reason for diaphoresis (increased sweating). When the vascular space is bigger the blood pressure goes down and the heart beats faster to increase oxygen perfusion to the organs. If you notice that even after you are feeling better your heart rate does not get back down below 100 you should go back to the doctor and find out what the reason is. Give the antibiotics a few more days; and try to rest.

Answer 2

If you feel rotten enough that you are not eating something every three or four hours, your body will be deprived and yes your pulse and heart can race.

For the sinus infection to feel better. Dampen a hand towel and heat it 30-40 seconds in the Microwave and lay it on your face and the back of your neck (alternately) This will heat your sinuses and the drainage will thin out and the bones around them will warm and feel much better. Repeat as needed.

Or at least it always works for me. You can, in crisis, use a hair dryer on your face, it will feel better and if you are out in public I have actually adjusted the blow dryer in the ladies room onto my face to make it feel better (the sinus headache).

In my car I will put on the front defroster and angle the visor down so the heat will blow on my face. It works quite well.

Can you tell I have had a lifetime of sinus problems.

I will say they stopped when I began getting Flu shots, I have not had a cold or sinus infection since, seven or eight years.

Good Luck I hope something helps out.