PCS 2 Years On - LOW BP, HR
 

Hi All,

Had a bad concussion ~2 years ago (didn't get knocked out though) which was the 4th medium to major one of my life and haven't been able to fully recover since then.

Had a few minor concussions since from bumping my head slightly and have gone through Neurologists, PT for head and neck and nothing seems to fully solve it. I will feel fine for 2-3 weeks and either work out too hard one day and regress or I will bump my head in the slightest way and regress. Recently went to PCP and had very low BP (pretty usual for me 95/65) and a HR under 40. Has anyone else experienced this? I know generally BP and HR are up after a concussion, which it was for me for the first 6 months. Haven't been on any crazy herbals, just fish oil, a multi, and occasionally cell salts.

I had a 2 week period where my BP and pulse were similar. I attribute it to severe neck inflammation. I had ridden in a car and slept with my head hanging forward for almost 2 hours. I could hardly get up from sitting.

I resumed good sleeping posture and iced my neck and it resolved over a few weeks.

By definition, it is an autonomic nervous system issue. Brain stem inflammation can be the cause.

Dehydration can be a factor.

Did the doctor ask you to do any physical exertion to see if it changed it?

Yes and physical exertion does increase HR. Not sure about BP, but I am sure it does. This issue has existed for a month, and when the first doctor took my pulse and it was low, I was in a period of feeling fine and doing full exercise. MY next step is to have thyroid checked. I wonder if my continuing head issues from lifting may be inflammation in the neck (although lower body lifting still causes) or actually my body just not being adjusted to going from a low HR to very high.

I know a few people with low pulse and BP. Had it for years. My father worked out almost every day and his resting pulse was about 48 to 54. His BP was 100/60 or so. I know another man who has vitals similar to yours. His docs cannot figure out why. He has a hard time causing them to increase. But, he remains healthy and extremely busy with a sharp mind.

Lifting can influence the neck because people tend to tense their neck muscles as they strain.