Low Blood Pressure

Hello:

I wanted ask the people who have pacemakers if they have low blood pressure?

I wasn't feeling too well tonight and laid down for about 30 minutes. I checked my blood pressure when I awoke and it was 95/56. I had my PM put in back in June and this is the first time that I've really paid any attention to my numbers.

It came back up when I got out of bed to between 107/67 to 120/77. I had been sick with a Chronic Fatigue diagnosis for several years before I needed the implant this past June and my pressure wasn't normal. However, I can't remember it being that low when I sleep.

Another thing I should mention. I have a low body temperature and am having some problems with anxiety which I am taking Clonazepam 0.5 mg twice daily for. I have been able to scale back on that some. I don't want to become dependant on it.

Back in May of this year I weighed about 224 pounds, but, I've been cutting back on the food that I eat and I've cut out sodas and chocolate milk entirely. Now I weigh 190 pounds.

I called my cardio and my primary care physician and they didn't seem concerned about my pressure or the lightheadedness. They told me to drink some extra fluids tonight and see how I feel tomorrow.

I am feeling a little better than I was about an hour ago. My headache is gone and I'm not as lightheaded. I think maybe I've cut back to much on my food. For instance, for breakfast for the last two or three days I've had a cinnamon and raisin biscuit at hardees. Then maybe a cheese and tomato sandwich with mayo at lunch time. Possibly a bowl of cereal at nighttime. This is not everyday but it's pretty close.

I want to be able to continue to lose weight safely, however, I'm not able to cook every meal so that I can have better food at home. What do ya'll do?

My cardio said to eat a heart healthy diet. Does anyone have any suggestions on meal plans?

Best Regards,
Sandra


4 Comments

Try this web site!

by ela-girl - 2007-10-08 11:10:02

Hi, Sandra!

As far as a heart healthy diet, go to this web site:

www.americanheart.org

It's the American Heart Association's web site. If you look on the tool bar on the left, put your mouse over "Healthy Lifestyle", then click on "Diet and Nutrition" when it comes up in the box. There's tons of information to help you get started! You can also join their Go red for Women campaign to live a healthier lifestyle.

Congratulations on losing the 34 pounds! Keep up the good work in a safe manner!

ela-girl

Congratulations!

by auntiesamm - 2007-10-09 02:10:28

Hi Sandra,
Congratulations on the weight loss - way to go! I know it is not easy but you seem to have a good attitude going for you. Like Ela-girl said, the AMer. Heart Assn. has great food plans for healthy eating and managing your weight. Also lots of other good information available. If you join the Go Red campaign you may get one of the little Red Dress pins they give out. It is to create awareness of heart disease in women; most people - men & women - do not know that heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country. We all need to do our part to bring this info to the forefront.

ABout the low BP. Are you on any medications such as beta blockers? Many of those meds will lower your BP, sometimes dramatically. Take care of yourself and God bless you.

Sharon (So CA)

Low body temperature

by MJH - 2007-10-09 06:10:55

I have never thought about my daughter's low body temperature until I read Sandra's comment above. She has a pacer and normal temp. of 97.6. Is this common? Mary Jane

low bp

by dgknecht - 2007-10-09 10:10:31

Sandra,
before i wore the holter monitor and found my heart was stopping, my primary care physician had put me on
Florinef, (fludrocortisone) to raise my bp, it made me feel
a lot better....maybe something to talk with your dr. about?
BTW, i still take it post PM, it keeps my pressure up about 130/76.

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

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I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.