I was just wondering if anyone else has low blood pressure? When I went to my Neurologist the first time he didn't think I had optical neuritis because I would only have it after I wake up and it would last a couple minutes and now it lasts for less than a minute and then it's clear again.

I have read about low blood pressure problems that cause blurriness and I bought a blood pressure cuff and I have read online that your blood pressure should go up when you're standing and mine goes down..and I feel dizzy and of course I have chronic headaches.

I was just wondering if anyone else had low blood pressure problems. I will have to contact my regular doc. as well as my neurologist next week after the holiday. Hope everyone is doing well!

Monique

No, I had high blood pressure but my doctor put me on Diovan and now it's normal most of the time. I think the last time I had it checked it was 110/76. I thought that was pretty good because I've gained some weight since my dx in 2005.

some people run a low BP and it's normal for them.
i'd check with your pcp about this. has your BP dropped from previous readings?

it's more typical to have a drop after you stand up.
but if you're dizzy and having visual disturbances i'd make an appt with your pcp.

TIPS FOR ACCURATE BLOOD PRESSURE TAKING

Be well trained and observant
Blood pressure recording is a process that should be practiced and re-practiced. The reading that is taken is an important tool in diagnosing a patient. That's why it is considered one of the Vital Signs. When taking a blood pressure always be sure to concentrate on the task at hand. Good eyesight and hearing, as well as hand-eye-ear coordination is important.1

Use actual numbers
Most people have a tendency to round off numbers; for example, 152 becomes 150; 166 may become 170. In blood pressure recording, a few millimeters may make the difference in a patient's diagnosis. Always record the reading to the nearest 2mm Hg.2


Don't be biased
Just because a patient (or yourself, in the case of home readings) is normally around 126/82 (for example), don't prematurely assume the next reading will fall near that range.3 Record each reading based on your observations at that time.


Position the patient properly
For regular blood pressure recordings, the patient is seated with the midpoint of the upper arm at the level of the heart.4 When the arm is below the heart level, the reading will be too high.5 In fact, it has been reported that the reading can be as much as 8mm high when the patient's arm is hanging at their side.6 However, some circumstances may require the patient to be in a different position. When lying down, position the patient's arm at the side of the body, slightly raised; when the patient is standing, raise the patient's arm and support at the heart level.7 Document the patient's position when recording their measurement on their chart.


Have a calm manner and peaceful environment
Try to keep the patient relaxed and have everything ready (equipment, charts, pen, etc.) for the reading before the patient is seated. Since blood pressure levels are affected by emotions, physical activity, and the surroundings, minimize disturbances that may affect the reading.8


Check your equipment
Routinely inspect your blood pressure equipment - sphygmomanometer, cuffing system, bladders, tubes, valves, etc. - to make sure it is functioning properly. Check to see if the mercury level of your instrument is at zero. Check aneroid gauges over the entire range against a mercury sphygmomanometer.9 Repair, replace, and clean as necessary. Consider using a cuff that has an antimicrobial agent to help prevent bacterial growth and mildew on the cuff fabric. It has been reported that blood pressure cuffs can carry significant bacterial colonization, particularly in the Operating Room, P.A.C.U. and I.C.U, and can actually be a source of transmission of infection.10


Select the right size inflation system
Choose the appropriate size cuff based on the circumference of the patient's bare upper arm. The bladder (inside the cuff) should encircle 80 percent of an adult's arm and, for a child less than 13 years old, 100 percent.11 A cuff/bladder that is too narrow for the arm will result in a high blood pressure reading.12 This situation may lead to the overtreatment of hypertension; conversely, using a cuff too large may lead to the undertreatment of hypertension.13 Have a full range of cuff sizes available to accommodate your patient population.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 "Human Blood Pressure Determination by Sphygmomanometry," American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas, ©1967, 1980, 1987, 1994 American Heart Association, p. 13. 2 Ibid., p. 14. 3 Ibid., p. 14. 4 Ibid., p. 14. 5 Ibid., p. 25 6 Cooper, Karen, "Measuring Blood Pressure the Right Way," Nursing92, April 1992, p. 75. 7 "Human Blood Pressure Determination by Sphygmomanometry," p. 14-15. 8 Ibid, p. 15. 9 American Society of Hypertension, "Recommendations for Routine Blood Pressure Measurement by Indirect Cuff Sphygmomanometry," American Journal of Hypertension, April 1992, p. 207. 10 Sternlicht, Andrew L., "Significant Bacterial Colonization Occurs on the surface of Non-Disposable Sphygmomanometer Cuffs and Re-Used Disposable Cuffs," Anesthesia & Analgesia, February 1990, p. S391. 11 "Human Blood Pressure Determination by Sphygmomanometry," p. 15. 12 Ibid., p. 24 13 Manning, Dennis M., "Miscuffing: Inappropriate Blood Pressure Cuff Application," Hypertension, October 1993, p. 765.[/SIZE]

I've always had low blood pressure, and I shouldn't probably because I smoke. My family actually has a history of high blood pressure. My doc thinks I'm taking care of my health . . . but little does he know.

My b/f (from Georgia) came here with really high blood pressure, and he was concerned about the amount of salt and marg I used when I cooked. He was starting to feel yucky for a while, so we tested his blood pressure several times. He was TOO LOW, for the first time in his life. Must be something in the water (or the amount of fresh fruit and veggies I made cook. ) Boxed and canned foods seem really bad for raising blood pressure too.

My blood pressure gets so low for periods, I start to feel dizzy. I just eat a bowl of pretzels, and it seems to do the trick.

Cherie

I have low blood pressure too -- runs in the family. Sometimes I wonder if it is too low. Usual is something like 95/58. Maybe that's what makes me feel dizzy sometimes?? I willl have to try pretzels.

Hmm.. well.. I haven't lived in Georgia for two years yet. Maybe, if I stay long enough my blood pressure will rise I never had low blood pressure before and going to evil Neuro. number two he's the one that told me. This past week I have had a killer migraine for 5 days straight (I'm on migraine meds and havent had a prob. in months) and I'm dizzy and faint feeling when I wake up.

The weirdest part is all my symptoms are after I sleep. I am going to UGA health center on Wed. to see what's going on and I might call my Neuro. this week. I wish I had a good dr.. but my luck is chronically bad! Maybe I can eat corndogs lol.. they eat a lot of those in this part of GA. Unfortunately, I don't eat corndogs and I eat healthier than most here.

Monique

I never had low blood pressure, so having a blood pressure of 89/69 is low for me. I will be going to the dr. on wednesday to find out what's going on. I just want this 5-day migraine to go away. Especially with my kids out for the summer they are making my brain want to ooze out of my head! Does pretzels help with low blood pressure? lol I will go buy 8 packs!

Monique

Since it's happening in the morning, ever considered a sleep study? Maybe there's a lack of oxygen-thang going on?

Don't know if that might affect blood pressure, but maybe one of the nurses here could comment . . . ?

Cherie

Yes.. I thought about a sleep study I just don't know which of my doctors I go to for that. My primary at UGA (she doesn't have any appts. this wk) so I'm seeing another doctor there. Or the three Neuros. I saw and now I settled on Neuro # 1.. since he's just young and not experienced compared to the other two which are just rude and speak down to me.

I guess I can go to the Dr. at UGA and ask him if he can schedule that Thanks for the suggestion.. I am going to send you a corndog just for that! You do know what they put in those things, right?? -->

Monique