Really low blood pressure

XJessicaX · Oct 14th, 2010, 11:29 AM

I am a nurse and work in a hospital so its easy for me to check my blood pressure....its really low. Its 87/46. I am feeling faint when I stand up or remain standing for a while. I am concerned I will actually pass out! I am drinking really well...adding salt to my food and keeping my blood sugar on an even level.

My midwife says that blood pressure in healthy young females usually 'does' drop but she warned it could drop further but didnt actually give me any advice on how to bring it up! I deal with patients with extremely high blood pressure at work but I very rarely deal with anyone with low BP and so have no idea what to do!!

Anyone else having trouble with their blood pressure?

KimE · Oct 14th, 2010, 11:51 AM

Hi hun, I have low blood pressure and when I'm pregnant its like yours and very low and I was fine and didn't faint last pregnancy just had to take it easy when standing up from sitting. Sounds like you're doing all the right things - my dr says keeps hydrated, salt and make sure to get enough iron. xx

loopylollipop · Oct 14th, 2010, 11:58 AM

the 'normal' ranges of blood pressure dont apply to pregnant women, in fact a 'normal' may in fact be high.

I would continue doing what you are doing -except adding salt. Not good for your kidneys at all.

As above poster said, just be aware of it and take your time moving from lying to standing. When getting up, sit on the edge of the bed for a could of mins before standing and gives time for blood pressure to readjust.

Lower BP is much healthier than high. It is very very common. Mine was that when I was in hospital and no-one batted an eyelid.

Your body will learn to cope with it and then it wont give you as many symptoms. Take care not to get too hot and this also vasodilates - reducing BP further. And stop taking it at work it will only worry you! Nurses!

ChristinaRN · Oct 14th, 2010, 11:59 AM

I am also a nurse and have been having low BP's also. My lowest was 72/40 at which point I was sweating and laying on my tile floor.....just seconds from calling an ambulance. But it finally came up. Since then I have been running SBP high 80's and just sit down when I need to. You could use a cold wash cloth or cold shower to vasoconstrict the blood vessels (but who wants to take a cold shower).Really, there's nothing to help bring it up other than those things as nurses we know to do......stick your head between your knees if you feel like you're going to pass out. Sorry!

akabenoit · Oct 18th, 2010, 14:37 PM

My blood pressure dropped around 15 weeks and has been giving me trouble ever since. My SIL said hers lasted for about 4-6 weeks and then resolved itself with her first little one. But still, it isn't fun...it hits me at the most random times during the day and is especially bad if I have been standing up for a while. It figures that if morning sickness is no longer making you miserable, something else as unpleasant is sure to follow :-)

CMUchick · Oct 18th, 2010, 14:54 PM

I am 9 weeks, and also have very low BP. My doc said to push push push fluids. She told me if I'm not peeing clear once per hour I am not drinking enough! Also, keep taking your prenatals!

Oct 14th, 2010, 11:29 AM	#1
XJessicaX Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cambridgshire UK Posts: 8,969	Really low blood pressure I am a nurse and work in a hospital so its easy for me to check my blood pressure....its really low. Its 87/46. I am feeling faint when I stand up or remain standing for a while. I am concerned I will actually pass out! I am drinking really well...adding salt to my food and keeping my blood sugar on an even level. My midwife says that blood pressure in healthy young females usually 'does' drop but she warned it could drop further but didnt actually give me any advice on how to bring it up! I deal with patients with extremely high blood pressure at work but I very rarely deal with anyone with low BP and so have no idea what to do!! Anyone else having trouble with their blood pressure?

Status: Online

Oct 14th, 2010, 11:51 AM	#2
KimE Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wherever the Army takes us! Originally from Leeds :) Posts: 454	Hi hun, I have low blood pressure and when I'm pregnant its like yours and very low and I was fine and didn't faint last pregnancy just had to take it easy when standing up from sitting. Sounds like you're doing all the right things - my dr says keeps hydrated, salt and make sure to get enough iron. xx

Status: Offline

Oct 14th, 2010, 11:58 AM	#3
loopylollipop Other Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: bradford Posts: 1,213	the 'normal' ranges of blood pressure dont apply to pregnant women, in fact a 'normal' may in fact be high. I would continue doing what you are doing -except adding salt. Not good for your kidneys at all. As above poster said, just be aware of it and take your time moving from lying to standing. When getting up, sit on the edge of the bed for a could of mins before standing and gives time for blood pressure to readjust. Lower BP is much healthier than high. It is very very common. Mine was that when I was in hospital and no-one batted an eyelid. Your body will learn to cope with it and then it wont give you as many symptoms. Take care not to get too hot and this also vasodilates - reducing BP further. And stop taking it at work it will only worry you! Nurses!

Status: Offline

Oct 14th, 2010, 11:59 AM	#4
ChristinaRN Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Central Coast, California Posts: 2,068	I am also a nurse and have been having low BP's also. My lowest was 72/40 at which point I was sweating and laying on my tile floor.....just seconds from calling an ambulance. But it finally came up. Since then I have been running SBP high 80's and just sit down when I need to. You could use a cold wash cloth or cold shower to vasoconstrict the blood vessels (but who wants to take a cold shower).Really, there's nothing to help bring it up other than those things as nurses we know to do......stick your head between your knees if you feel like you're going to pass out. Sorry!

Status: Offline

Oct 18th, 2010, 14:37 PM	#5
akabenoit Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts, US Posts: 48	My blood pressure dropped around 15 weeks and has been giving me trouble ever since. My SIL said hers lasted for about 4-6 weeks and then resolved itself with her first little one. But still, it isn't fun...it hits me at the most random times during the day and is especially bad if I have been standing up for a while. It figures that if morning sickness is no longer making you miserable, something else as unpleasant is sure to follow :-)

Status: Offline

Oct 18th, 2010, 14:54 PM	#6
CMUchick Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sheridan, Wyoming Posts: 37	I am 9 weeks, and also have very low BP. My doc said to push push push fluids. She told me if I'm not peeing clear once per hour I am not drinking enough! Also, keep taking your prenatals!

Status: Offline

User Name		Remember Me?
Password