Low b/p and frequently exhausted

[dontletmedownbruce]

Just that, really. Does anyone think 58/83 is a sufficiently low reading to see a GP.

For context, it was about 9am on a normal day. I’d not long since had a cup of tea. I’m f53, with bmi of 21.5.

Thank you to anyone with any advice.

58/83 isn’t a physically possible BP reading. If that’s really the reading being generated it’s probably a machine error. Most pharmacies seem to be able to do BP checks these days - why not get it checked properly there & see if they have any advice (assuming that’s not where this reading’s come from).

I think you would only see a GP about low blood pressure if it had been going on for some time, or recurring regularly.

The first number should be higher than the second and low blood pressure is usually lower than 90/60.

It would be worth buying your own machine and testing regularly. They are quite cheap.

You could also test lying down and then right after standing up to see if it changes.

You need a new bp machine

It is possible because it’s what the gp practice machine said, and it’s not that much lower (but a bit) from what it usually is.

I might have got the numbers back to front, perhaps?

I think I might ring gp in the morning and see if it’s possible to speak to someone.

Yeah you have 🤣🤣 that changes things but doesn't your gp surgery already know about it if it was done on their machines

Was this just a one of reading? If these are regular readings you need to increase water intake and add more salt to your diet. Also don't stand up to quickly

I have low BP, although it is rising with age. When I was in my 20s, 83/58 would have been pretty normal for me. Now, 20 years later, I am generally around 105/65 or thereabouts, and occasionally as high as 115/75 which feels high to me because of what I am used to.

Do you have a family history of hypotension? My mum, granny and granda were all the same, and I seem to have passed it on to all my DC. 2 of whom are sometimes symptomatic.

I have always been told that unless you are symptomatic then it’s not a problem. If you are symptomatic (fainting, blacking out, collapsing etc) then you need to identify your triggers (often standing up quickly, standing still for long periods of time, bending over (linked to positional vertigo) or high heat), and work to avoid them. Often if you also have low blood sugar (not diabetic - just that you haven’t eaten properly) - it can exacerbate it. For me, if I know I’m going to be on my feet for a long time, or in high heat, I carry a salty snack with me, and a sugary drink.

If I (or my DC) do faint then it’s flat on the floor, cool down as much as possible, legs raised and small sips of cold water until it returns to normal.

Hypotension is much more preferable to hypertension, although can be a pain in the ass when on holiday and your DC start fainting left, right and centre!

No, because it’s just one of those standalone machines in the corner of the waiting area. It wasn’t part of a consultation.

Thanks. I only drink G&T (occasionally), and lots and lots of Earl Grey tea (morning, noon + night). So more water perhaps? I never add salt to anything, don’t eat crisps etc.

It’s always low but the higher number at 83 is the lowest yet.

Systolic reading is usually 90-120 with dystolic being 60-80.

below that is low but low can be normal for some people and like anything one person could be normal at 83/58 and someone else could feel terrible at 89/59.

of you aren’t feeling well would see a GP. Especially with a pulse rate of 91. That’s high for a resting pulse rate and with a low BP may mean something (disclaimer - I’m no medic so have no idea).

However I do have low readings. My BP is 93/48. Pulse rate 59.

things because I take BP pills for cluster beaches and had a normal BP before commencing them. This is also why my HR is so low.

So for me although I’m below the general normal readings it’s not a problem iyswim?

100% got the numbers back to front. That bp can be fine but if it’s new for you and you have symptoms it’s worth discussing with your GP.
dont be tempted to just start drinking enormous amounts of water - it can create more problems than it fixes so does need some medical input.

Get your iron checked.

Thanks. I’ll ask for that.