low blood pressure

[lph]

Thanks ladies, I'll try to take notice if hydration plays a role. Otherwise it's just irritating, not dangerous, because it never happens when I'm up and about doing things, and since I can feel it coming I always have time to go down in a crouch, works better for me than head between my knees.

I'm just curious about things like this and the physical causes.

[channlluv]

I've had high blood pressure for a couple of years now and when I finally realized I needed to go on medication to control it, I was also just getting into the longer bike rides. My doctor and I tried out several medications and dosages to try to find what worked best -- this took months to work through -- and during that time, I figured out the days that I went on long bike rides, my blood pressure was much lower than on days that I didn't ride. I had to buy a digital blood pressure cuff to monitor my pressure at home every day, sometimes two or three readings a day.

Those really low days, I was having the same symptoms as you, nearly blacking out when I'd stand up. Everything would go a bit yellow and fuzzy for several seconds until it regulated itself.

My doctor told me at one point that on the days I planned a long ride, not to take my meds. That worked for a bit. We finally hit on a good dosage for me and now my blood pressure is in the same range as yours, 100/60.

There are others here who can tell you the particulars, but low blood pressure is just as dangerous as high blood pressure. At least, that's what I understood from conversations with my doctor.

I really think you should check this out with your doctor before it goes on too long to repair whatever damage might be happening.

Roxy

[skhill]

My blood pressure is normally quite low too. Last time I donated blood, the first reading was 90/48 (but we got 94/52 on the second try, high enough to donate). The lightheaded/ nearly fainting thing happens to me occasionally, but I'm almost positive it's related to hydration.

[redrhodie]

lph, I remember from a thread a while back that you use an inversion table. Are you still using it? I would think that would help.

[lph]

Unfortunately the inversion table got packed away (dang, your memory's good! ) when my workplace moved to where we are now, but I'll try to find it once we move back to our antiquated office building, hopefully all redone, next spring.

I will ask my doc too, next time I see her.

[redrhodie]

(dang, your memory's good! )

I've been contemplating getting one ever since then.

Would you say that the blackouts are more or less frequent, or the same as when you inverted?

[bunny_ninja]

What is your resting pulse rate?

That could be a factor... unfortunately.

just don't overdo the increased water consumption. I'd just follow the standard formula for ounces, activity, and body composition + a liter.

You might also increase your electrolyte intake.

[redrhodie]

lph, I remember from a thread a while back that you use an inversion table. Are you still using it? I would think that would help.

Thread high jack! I got an inversion table about a month ago, and it has had no effect on my dizziness, but I feel great in many other ways. My ankles and toes, which were always swollen (and I didn't even know it because it was constant), are not anymore. I also haven't had a headache and my neck feels great. My massage therapist can't believe how all my usual knots are gone. But, like I said, the dizziness is the same.

[indysteel]

Like Eden, I've noticed a big connection between hydration and light headedness. I, too, have low BP. I only get faint when I'm dehydrated. I've had some scary the-room-is-spinning moments.

[trista]

+1 for hydration being a factor. I'm a 100/60 person, and I am susceptible to tunnel-vision and dizzy spells, but I really do not think my BP is the culprit. I notice a direct correlation w/ my hydration level and the dizzy spells. The more hydrated I am, the less likely I am to see black when i stand up. I also try to keep up on my iron intake and B12. It seems like the additional iron helps as well, but I can't know for sure. But I do know i *really* have to keep up with my hydration to keep the dizzy spells at bay.