just curious

[ariella]

ok, this happened a while ago, still puzzled: Was very very symptomatic, even laying down, took bp, and it came out to something like 50/60---backwards. Still alive to tell about it, just curious about it, obviously unusual for systolic (that's the top number, right?) to be lower than the diastolic...Any idea what that meant?

Ariella

[briarrose]

Some would say that this is impossible. But since learning of Dysautonomia I don't believe anything is impossible.

However I would check your batteries or wait a few minutes and take another reading to check for errors. This is probably a question for a knowledgable medical professional.

I did do a quick search about this and all I could turn up was that a nurse said it was possible intra-aortic balloon pump which I'm pretty sure doesn't apply to you or anyone else here.

[ariella]

I also thought it was impossible. Batteries were ok, bp remained incredibly erratic for the next few hours........felt only semi-conscious...it was several months ago, but was wondering

Ariella

[MomtoGiuliana]

Hmm, I would check it again and see if it is continuing or if it was just a fluke or error, however, I also agree that with POTS, these strange things seem suddenly possible.

Here's a link that addressed the issue of diastolic and systolic numbers that are closer together than 40 points, a typical POTS phenomenon.

http://dinet.ipbhost.com/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=2118

It could indicate that you are dehydrated (having numbers that are close together). My recommendation--take in some more fluids with electrolytes if possible and try not to check your bp for awhile! If I get to involved in checking my hr and bp, it can get me worried and just make me feel worse.

Take Care,

Katherine

[ariella]

ugh, computer just gobbled this, here we go again. I think I understood that if the systolic and diastolic are too close too eachother, this is called narrow pulse pressure, and could be a sign of shock. (any nurses out there?)

Would make sense, was having other severe shock-like symptoms at the time. Believe it or not, shock symptoms happen so frequently that I don't even report it to the doctor. Oh, and my pulse pressure is usually very close together,a reading of say, 80/65 is not unusual for me at all.

Ariella

[Guest Julia59]

My blood pressure is often 90 something over 70 something---15 to 20 point spread.

This is usually in the morning---and my BP is more towards normal in the evening.

When I have a small difference between the two numbers I usually feel very sluggish and light headed. I have never brought it up at Dr. Grubb's office.

But it will be a good question to bring up to the nurse practioner at his office tomorrow.

I'll let you know what I find out. My appointment is at 10:00am.

Julie :0)

[MomtoGiuliana]

ariella

Perhaps this helps:

"Patients often have measurably low standing pulse pressure, which can be an indicator of venous pooling."

[A difference in the two numbers that is smaller than 40 is called low pulse pressure. ]

This is from http://home.att.net/~potsweb/POTS.html

Again, I think that re-hydrating yourself and probably increasing salt may provide some relief. But, hopefully you can talk to a doctor about this soon, as the reversed numbers sound unusual even for POTS.

Do you keep a record of these readings and symptoms? That might help your doctor in determining a treatment.

Katherine

[Sunfish]

my guess is that the reading may be a combo of a super small difference & a BP machine that is then confused. but again...who knows. personally i tend to feel pretty cruddy when my systoolic & diastolic are either really close OR really far apart...go figure.

an interesting conundrum for sure...

:-)melissa