Low Blood Pressure

zirotra
zirotra Member Posts: 30
i am currently not on meds but have been experiencing consistently low blood pressure 100/40 to 110/52 for a long time. Before cancer treatments it used to be 130/80 or so.

has anyone felt the same? any reason to be worried?

Comments

  • son of hal
    son of hal Member Posts: 117
    Hi Zirota- You bring up a
    Hi Zirota- You bring up a good question. I have a similar condition since being diagnosed in 09. My BP is either low/normal or very low. I've had nurses take it twice and use different equipment thinking it shouldn't be that low. I think my lowest was 92/46 and the nurse was concerned I might pass out. I feel fine and the docs say better low than high. The other thing is my body temperature. Since diagnosis it's been consistently low between 94.5 to 97.5 but docs don't think anything of it. I do think somehow it's all related.
    Take care, CJ
  • joemetz
    joemetz Member Posts: 493
    low lower low
    I've been getting chemo since Jan 3rd 2012... and each week my blood pressue seems lower and lower. My heart rate is still tracking high, (like 95 to 110 as a resting heart rate) but my blood pressure is much much lower than six months ago. it was like 95/70 or something crazy like that... and other times its like 100/75. I used to be the guy that had 140/80 or something like that.

    the other thing that is lower, is my weight. I have gone from 220lbs to 185lbs in about 4 months... the weight and blood pressure seem to be balancing out and no further changes.

    I haven't asked too much about the low blood pressure, but it does cause dizziness and i have fainted one time when i got up and walked across the room... as i blacked out and went down.

    when that happened i didn't know if i should cry or laugh... but i knew it was directly related to the low blood pressure and dizzyiness from the chemo treatments.

    be careful when you get up too quickly.

    i wish you my best

    Joe
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Blood pressure

    High blood pressure is a symptom of an underlying problem,
    it is not "the problem".

    Too high never killed a soul, but a too low blood pressure
    has ended many a life, or at the least, ended their brain's life.

    A symptom of too low blood pressure can be related to a
    state of dehydration, a decrease of magnesium.or an imbalance
    of magnesium and potassium, among other things....

    Too high blood pressure can be due to any taxing situation
    to your body's systems. Anything from a restricted artery,
    to a simple fever, can raise one's blood pressure.

    But high blood pressure alone is rarely (if ever) noted to be
    responsible for a life-threatening situation. The underlying
    problem causing the symptom of high blood pressure, is usually
    what ends up killing the individual!

    Chemo taxes the body. The chemicals are highly toxic, and
    can play hell with the every organ in your body. When the
    body needs more of what the blood supply has, the pressure
    increases in response to the need.

    I personally do not worry about "high blood pressure", since
    it's only a state of low blood pressure that has ever landed me
    in the ER.

    Best of health to you!

    John
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Disease is the absence of Health
    My pressure tends to run on the low side, it was never high. During treatments it sometimes drops a bit more but also I usually nap then too.
    While high blood pressure is the result of underlying conditions, just as low BP is, high BP can cause death because of what it can do to your body. High blood pressure can lead to damage of your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs in your body. Heart disease and stroke, both caused by high blood pressure, are the first and third leading causes of death in the U.S.

    If yours gets too low it would be smart to get it checked out.
    -p
  • Varmint5
    Varmint5 Member Posts: 384 Member
    John23 said:

    Blood pressure

    High blood pressure is a symptom of an underlying problem,
    it is not "the problem".

    Too high never killed a soul, but a too low blood pressure
    has ended many a life, or at the least, ended their brain's life.

    A symptom of too low blood pressure can be related to a
    state of dehydration, a decrease of magnesium.or an imbalance
    of magnesium and potassium, among other things....

    Too high blood pressure can be due to any taxing situation
    to your body's systems. Anything from a restricted artery,
    to a simple fever, can raise one's blood pressure.

    But high blood pressure alone is rarely (if ever) noted to be
    responsible for a life-threatening situation. The underlying
    problem causing the symptom of high blood pressure, is usually
    what ends up killing the individual!

    Chemo taxes the body. The chemicals are highly toxic, and
    can play hell with the every organ in your body. When the
    body needs more of what the blood supply has, the pressure
    increases in response to the need.

    I personally do not worry about "high blood pressure", since
    it's only a state of low blood pressure that has ever landed me
    in the ER.

    Best of health to you!

    John

    I beg to differ...
    Complications from too high blood pressure (hypertension) has killed many a soul. And it's also ended the life of many "brains." Ever hear of a "stroke?" I am not wanting to start an argument, but high blood pressure is nothing to sneeze at. It is also a treatable condition, not just a "symptom." Your information is inaccurate MISinformation and is presented as fact. And this is a very dangerous practice. I was shocked when I read this. Wow.

    Edited to add... I didn't mean for this to sound so harsh. My best to you, John, but be careful what you say, please!
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Varmint5 said:

    I beg to differ...
    Complications from too high blood pressure (hypertension) has killed many a soul. And it's also ended the life of many "brains." Ever hear of a "stroke?" I am not wanting to start an argument, but high blood pressure is nothing to sneeze at. It is also a treatable condition, not just a "symptom." Your information is inaccurate MISinformation and is presented as fact. And this is a very dangerous practice. I was shocked when I read this. Wow.

    Edited to add... I didn't mean for this to sound so harsh. My best to you, John, but be careful what you say, please!

    Sorry...
    But I stand by my comments.

    My wife suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm in 2002.

    After making the repair, the surgeon put her on a special med
    to increase blood pressure well beyond the "limits" you hear
    so much about. He did that to keep the cardiovascular system
    as dilated as possible (especially inside the cranium), to avoid
    blood settling in creases of lax blood vessels.

    I learned back then, that high blood pressure does not cause
    aneurysms, it does not cause an aneurysm to rupture, it does
    not cause "a stroke", nor does it cause migraine headaches.

    However, the lack of sufficient blood pressure can and does cause
    severe damage to one's body.

    It was also noted by that surgeon, and others, that strokes and
    ruptured aneurysms often happen while people are asleep.
    When the body is at rest, the blood pressure is usually lower
    than when active.

    There is more misrepresentation of facts when people simply
    recite the industry's hyperbole instead of learning the truth.

    Blood pressure meds are the largest selling drug, and the industry
    is about to publish new "facts" that indicate one's blood pressure
    should be ten points lower than the present acceptable range.
    That will put nearly every living soul on BP meds, including children.

    The vast majority of people walking around with "high blood pressure"
    do not have any symptoms of "high blood pressure" and live
    their entire lives quite well in spite of "high blood pressure". If the
    underlying cause for their "high blood pressure" is ignored, -that-
    can cause damage.

    High blood pressure is a symptom of an underlying problem,
    it is not in itself, "the problem".

    Taking blood pressure meds simply disguises the fact there is
    an underlying problem by eliminating the symptom of the
    underlying problem.

    (it's akin to taking the "low oil pressure" bulb out of your car's
    dashboard instead of addressing the reason for that bulb being lit)

    If you are happy disguising symptoms instead of addressing
    the real health problem causing the symptoms, by all means
    keep on truckin'! That seems to be the state of the general
    public's idea of good health practices, so why buck the trend, ehh?


    Stay well,

    John
  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    PhillieG said:

    Disease is the absence of Health
    My pressure tends to run on the low side, it was never high. During treatments it sometimes drops a bit more but also I usually nap then too.
    While high blood pressure is the result of underlying conditions, just as low BP is, high BP can cause death because of what it can do to your body. High blood pressure can lead to damage of your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs in your body. Heart disease and stroke, both caused by high blood pressure, are the first and third leading causes of death in the U.S.

    If yours gets too low it would be smart to get it checked out.
    -p

    Hi Gang
    This is an interesting discussion from both points of view. For most of my adult life, I had low blood pressure which caused dizziness and flashing white spots in my vision. For the past 10 years, I've had high blood pressure which causes the identical problems. I started with one med which became two, and last year a doctor wanted to make it three. Well, I tried three for 4 days and became a Zombie. So I ditched that third one.

    I never even thought about high blood pressure being a symptom of an underlying problem. Just thought it was the problem caused by ever increasing daily stress. I've always thought of the possibility of a stroke. I remember going to ER one time feeling really dizzy and my blood pressure reading was 220/180 and I was already on meds. They went into panic mode and rushed me to a little room and then abandoned me for 45 minutes. So I got dressed and started to leave when a nurse spotted me and said "Oh you can't leave." I replied "Oh yes, I can" and I walked out the door. So, I guess it really wasn't that meaningful after all. I know ER's charge by the hour around here so I figured it was all about the money, whether I needed immediate treatment or not. Do I sound cynical?LOL

    Now I find as I get older, little annoying problems crop up and I end up at the doctor. Very nice young guy and loves to do bloodwork, but has not mentioned any underlying causes for the high blood pressure. So who knows?

    Take care all and do what feels right for you.

    Luv,

    Wolfen
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    wolfen said:

    Hi Gang
    This is an interesting discussion from both points of view. For most of my adult life, I had low blood pressure which caused dizziness and flashing white spots in my vision. For the past 10 years, I've had high blood pressure which causes the identical problems. I started with one med which became two, and last year a doctor wanted to make it three. Well, I tried three for 4 days and became a Zombie. So I ditched that third one.

    I never even thought about high blood pressure being a symptom of an underlying problem. Just thought it was the problem caused by ever increasing daily stress. I've always thought of the possibility of a stroke. I remember going to ER one time feeling really dizzy and my blood pressure reading was 220/180 and I was already on meds. They went into panic mode and rushed me to a little room and then abandoned me for 45 minutes. So I got dressed and started to leave when a nurse spotted me and said "Oh you can't leave." I replied "Oh yes, I can" and I walked out the door. So, I guess it really wasn't that meaningful after all. I know ER's charge by the hour around here so I figured it was all about the money, whether I needed immediate treatment or not. Do I sound cynical?LOL

    Now I find as I get older, little annoying problems crop up and I end up at the doctor. Very nice young guy and loves to do bloodwork, but has not mentioned any underlying causes for the high blood pressure. So who knows?

    Take care all and do what feels right for you.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

    hey all
    If I had high blood pressure, then I guess I would get a handle on the "symptom" FIRST.
    Then... IF and WHEN someone could ever determine the underlying cause in a reasonable amount of time..... I would be highly impressed. :)
    (And I'm not talking about i.e. pulmonary edema)
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    janie1 said:

    hey all
    If I had high blood pressure, then I guess I would get a handle on the "symptom" FIRST.
    Then... IF and WHEN someone could ever determine the underlying cause in a reasonable amount of time..... I would be highly impressed. :)
    (And I'm not talking about i.e. pulmonary edema)

    Janie1 -

    Years back, and even today, physicians suggested to a patient
    with high blood pressure, to try to get it lower by adjusting
    their lifestyle, meds, etc. for a nine month or more period.

    If after nine or more months that patient can not lower the BP,
    then the physician would look into the reasons for the HBP
    and try to resolve the problem.

    Too many physicians lately, are simple prescribing blood pressure
    meds to resolve the symptom. The meds are full of side effects
    and withdrawal effects, and the patient usually ends up on
    more meds to offset the side effects of the BP meds.

    My friend's wife has ended up in the ER numerous times
    for symptoms of drug interactions and toxic shock. Each time
    her personal physician took her off the BP meds, she felt great!

    But her surgeon felt that there was a need for her to take BP
    lowering medication. Each time she went back on it, she ended
    up being prescribed up to 26 different drugs, each one to
    offset side effects from the rest.... and she again would end
    up in the ER.

    I asked her husband why, if the BP meds seems to start the
    downhill slide, does she take them? He said she had to
    because the doctor says she has to......

    When will people wake the %^&* up?

    I am soooooo sick of seeing people getting worse instead of
    better and refusing every inch of the way downhill, to try
    something different or at the very least, to say NO to bad drugs.

    Oh well....

    Good luck to all readers; better health to you all!

    John
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    John23 said:

    Janie1 -

    Years back, and even today, physicians suggested to a patient
    with high blood pressure, to try to get it lower by adjusting
    their lifestyle, meds, etc. for a nine month or more period.

    If after nine or more months that patient can not lower the BP,
    then the physician would look into the reasons for the HBP
    and try to resolve the problem.

    Too many physicians lately, are simple prescribing blood pressure
    meds to resolve the symptom. The meds are full of side effects
    and withdrawal effects, and the patient usually ends up on
    more meds to offset the side effects of the BP meds.

    My friend's wife has ended up in the ER numerous times
    for symptoms of drug interactions and toxic shock. Each time
    her personal physician took her off the BP meds, she felt great!

    But her surgeon felt that there was a need for her to take BP
    lowering medication. Each time she went back on it, she ended
    up being prescribed up to 26 different drugs, each one to
    offset side effects from the rest.... and she again would end
    up in the ER.

    I asked her husband why, if the BP meds seems to start the
    downhill slide, does she take them? He said she had to
    because the doctor says she has to......

    When will people wake the %^&* up?

    I am soooooo sick of seeing people getting worse instead of
    better and refusing every inch of the way downhill, to try
    something different or at the very least, to say NO to bad drugs.

    Oh well....

    Good luck to all readers; better health to you all!

    John

    i know
    I was just saying.....if it were me. I would certainly get myself off BP meds, by getting my duff off of the sofa, if I were obese (which I am not), and if THAT were the CAUSE. Just look around at people, how many have the will and ambition to lose 60lbs?

    John, did you say in your first post your wife's doctor increased her BP, by dilating her arteries? Dilating would lower BP. Sorry, if I read that wrong.

    And Ziotra.....SORRY.....this got turned away from low blood pressure.
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    janie1 said:

    i know
    I was just saying.....if it were me. I would certainly get myself off BP meds, by getting my duff off of the sofa, if I were obese (which I am not), and if THAT were the CAUSE. Just look around at people, how many have the will and ambition to lose 60lbs?

    John, did you say in your first post your wife's doctor increased her BP, by dilating her arteries? Dilating would lower BP. Sorry, if I read that wrong.

    And Ziotra.....SORRY.....this got turned away from low blood pressure.

    Janie1 -

    Re:
    "John, did you say in your first post your wife's doctor increased
    her BP, by dilating her arteries? Dilating would lower BP. Sorry,
    if I read that wrong."


    That's what the surgeon said. The extremely high BP keeps the
    arteries expanded to their limit, and that in turn, keeps any blood
    that's floating around in the cranium from settling in any creases
    of arteries and vessels and causing future problems.
    ("dilating" may have been the wrong term for me to use)

    Her BP was kept at the extremely high rate for around three
    months.

    At that time, I knew nothing about TCM, and also assumed
    that everything I had ever heard regarding western medicine's
    explanation of health matters were the absolute.

    The surgeon and his associates explained in great detail, just
    how wrong the industry's hype was. I did my own research,
    and the data to support the surgeon's statements were accurate
    and true; high BP is only a symptom of an underlying problem,
    and in itself, is not necessarily "a problem".

    There are no records of anyone "dying due to high BP", while there
    are many records of the drugs to stifle high BP causing problems
    that eventually lead to deaths of patients taking those drugs..

    It's an unfortunate state of affairs, when the health services that
    were to help us, fails us by promoting drugs that do more harm
    than good.

    To get back to topic? Low blood pressure is worse than high
    blood pressure; low blood pressure can kill you, or your brain.


    Be well!

    John
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    Hi Zirotra
    My blood pressure

    Hi Zirotra

    My blood pressure was always low or normal. Like 110/60. On chemo it was quite low, like 80/50- no idea why, and my oncologist never gave it a second glance. I certainly didn't feel good, before he stopped the oxi-crap, I was hospitalized with dehydration- kept fainting when I tried to stand up. I suspect that was part of the BP issue? Dunno though.

    Now, about a year ago, (I am currently coming up to my 4th year NED) I started jumping up in BP= following a pattern it appeared that my olders sibs, mother and father- went on meds for a couple of months. And then at my doctors recommedation, I had a sleep study done last July. I have severe sleep apena- have been on a machine for 8 months or so, BP is back to normal, no more migrains and so forth. The sleep doctor said there is a direct link to a bunch of problems I was having and my sleep cycle.

    So I do believe somewhat, although I am not a doctor, that BP is a symptom of other issues. Mine was quite low during chemo- and very high then due to sleep apnea.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Varmint5 said:

    I beg to differ...
    Complications from too high blood pressure (hypertension) has killed many a soul. And it's also ended the life of many "brains." Ever hear of a "stroke?" I am not wanting to start an argument, but high blood pressure is nothing to sneeze at. It is also a treatable condition, not just a "symptom." Your information is inaccurate MISinformation and is presented as fact. And this is a very dangerous practice. I was shocked when I read this. Wow.

    Edited to add... I didn't mean for this to sound so harsh. My best to you, John, but be careful what you say, please!

    Two Types of High Blood Pressure
    *There is complicated and uncomplicated:
    1- Uncomplicated Patients have no underlying disease causing their high blood pressure and have not developed any other organ problems as a result of their high blood pressure.
    2- Complicated Patients have other existing diseases in addition to their high blood pressure.

    Bottom line is that high blood pressure, as well as low blood pressure CAN KILL YOU.

    *if it's discussed on this forum, it's guaranteed to become complicated no matter WHAT the topic is!
  • SchoolBoardLady
    SchoolBoardLady Member Posts: 5
    joemetz said:

    low lower low
    I've been getting chemo since Jan 3rd 2012... and each week my blood pressue seems lower and lower. My heart rate is still tracking high, (like 95 to 110 as a resting heart rate) but my blood pressure is much much lower than six months ago. it was like 95/70 or something crazy like that... and other times its like 100/75. I used to be the guy that had 140/80 or something like that.

    the other thing that is lower, is my weight. I have gone from 220lbs to 185lbs in about 4 months... the weight and blood pressure seem to be balancing out and no further changes.

    I haven't asked too much about the low blood pressure, but it does cause dizziness and i have fainted one time when i got up and walked across the room... as i blacked out and went down.

    when that happened i didn't know if i should cry or laugh... but i knew it was directly related to the low blood pressure and dizzyiness from the chemo treatments.

    be careful when you get up too quickly.

    i wish you my best

    Joe

    Blood Pressure just beginning chemo
    Hi Joe,
    I found your postings very inspirational. I wondered if you were ever on BP meds... and stayed on them during chemo...because my elevated BP tracks with weight loss. After three kids, I grew from a healthy weight of 135-140 to 190 on delivery day and stayed at 180-190 for 15 years. I was diagnosed with stage four colon with 2 mets to liver, on Feb. 16th, with absolutely no symptoms. Actually had lost 10 lbs since that 2012 New Years resolution and was feeling the best since the premenopausal days (I'm 55). After first chemo treatment, I've experienced most of the side effects of FolFox, but the neuropathy fades continuously four days after infusion--to today, barely noticeable unless I do something really distasteful like clean out the freezer! I also have a background 'sound" in my ears which has been one of my fears of Oxaliplatin. I'm fortunate to live in a warm (Virginia) mild climate, near the ocean. My BP has been reduced so I stopped taking the diuretic which I've been taking for 15 years. BTW, the only (lifestyle/controllable) 'risk factors" i seemed to have is being over weight and no longer doing my sports of youth and perhaps eating grilled fish and chicken. No red meat, no smoking, no alcohol (at all), no fast food.

    Reading these posts help prepare for the worst as well as provides ideas for coping or how to talk to Onc or even get other doctor's opinions. After living a totally pain free life with no chronic illnesses, injuries or disabilities, I am learning how so many other people live day to day with health challenges, pain and anxiety. I'm also learning about the greatness of the human spirit. Your post stood out in the human spirit department.

    God bless

    SchoolBoardLady
  • joemetz
    joemetz Member Posts: 493

    Blood Pressure just beginning chemo
    Hi Joe,
    I found your postings very inspirational. I wondered if you were ever on BP meds... and stayed on them during chemo...because my elevated BP tracks with weight loss. After three kids, I grew from a healthy weight of 135-140 to 190 on delivery day and stayed at 180-190 for 15 years. I was diagnosed with stage four colon with 2 mets to liver, on Feb. 16th, with absolutely no symptoms. Actually had lost 10 lbs since that 2012 New Years resolution and was feeling the best since the premenopausal days (I'm 55). After first chemo treatment, I've experienced most of the side effects of FolFox, but the neuropathy fades continuously four days after infusion--to today, barely noticeable unless I do something really distasteful like clean out the freezer! I also have a background 'sound" in my ears which has been one of my fears of Oxaliplatin. I'm fortunate to live in a warm (Virginia) mild climate, near the ocean. My BP has been reduced so I stopped taking the diuretic which I've been taking for 15 years. BTW, the only (lifestyle/controllable) 'risk factors" i seemed to have is being over weight and no longer doing my sports of youth and perhaps eating grilled fish and chicken. No red meat, no smoking, no alcohol (at all), no fast food.

    Reading these posts help prepare for the worst as well as provides ideas for coping or how to talk to Onc or even get other doctor's opinions. After living a totally pain free life with no chronic illnesses, injuries or disabilities, I am learning how so many other people live day to day with health challenges, pain and anxiety. I'm also learning about the greatness of the human spirit. Your post stood out in the human spirit department.

    God bless

    SchoolBoardLady

    Thank you SchoolBoardLady!
    wow!

    thank you for your nice comments.

    it just goes to show, that every day we can touch someone... but WHO we touch with our words or kindness isn't our choice.

    it's our choice live life to please God.

    it definately sounds like you're getting your arms around your cancer battle. i wish you the best this day and for a glorious Easter!

    Hugs.

    Joe