bing181

Hi all

Seem to be developing a bit of a "condition" with low blood pressure. Have always been on the low side, always told it was good, but in the last few years have had a couple of episodes when I'm getting a bit off the low scale, even for me. General lethargy, fatigue, low-level headaches etc. etc. Ironically enough, while when I'm like this I hardly want to move off the couch/bed, if I can get onto my bike, I can ride OK.

Wondering if anyone here has any experience of this, and what they do about it? My doc has me on licorice tea, beetroot juice and when it gets really bad, salty food (chips etc.). Any other suggestions .. yet alone suggestions on where it's coming from?

Thanks.

B

Barrettscv 

Yes, I have this issue also. I'll become faint but never pass out. It is more of a problem after exercise. It often happens when I stand after relaxing in a chair for 20 minutes or more. I might have to lean against the wall to keep from falling. This condition is most pronounced in warm weather and if I'm losing weight.

My Doctor was not that helpful. We were able to duplicate a drop in blood pressure in the doctor’s office. He suggested salt tablets and/or electrolytes drink like Gatorade.

I'm in better shape now. I have a stronger base from riding 500 miles/month. Most people need to cut down on salt, I add it to food whenever possible.

Michael

JayhawKen

Similar to Barrett, I deal with the post-ride low BP issues by anticipating the light headedness. I have no medical background, but my assumption has always been that after a long/hard ride, the capillaries and arteries are fully opened up and the blood is warmer/thinner, so when I stand up there is less fluid resistance and the blood simply runs away from my head faster. Several hours later I am back to normal.

If it became an issue at other times, like first thing in the morning or not after a ride, I would probably see a doctor and try to do something about it. My BP tends to run to the low normal end of the range, maybe ~ 108/58, so the riding just aggravates the situation.

What are your BP numbers? Do you have access to a BP machine where you can check it over several days to see where it is running?

buddyp

I have it too. The only thing I can add that my cardiologist said to be careful to avoid getting dehydrated as this makes the problem worse.

JanMM

Much preferable to hypertension.

Rule of thumb for 'low normotension': As long as you don't pass out when you stand up, it's not a problem.

Bud Bent

Same here. The main thing I've learned is to not get dehydrated. Dehydration causes low blood volume which makes low blood pressure worse.

bing181

Thanks all .. will maybe grab myself one of those home BP testers so i at least can follow what's going on.

B

icyclist 

Hmmm.........I occasionally have this problem, too - usually after sitting. I'm definitely thinking dehydration could be part of the culprit. Then again, I'm ON low blood pressure medication, due to a heart attack some months back.

My blood pressure was already quite low, but my cardiologist tells me that statistically I have a better chance of not having another heart attack if I stay on the medication.

So, for now, I'm sticking with the program. I'm going to make sure I'm drinking more, before and after riding my bike.

Rick@OCRR

This is interesting. I have low blood pressure, but I never thought it could be dangerous! After a long ride (probably a bit dehydrated), if I stand up too quickly, I get dizzy . . . only once or twice actually passed out . . even then I came around rather quickly.

Scary stuff. Who knew? Well, obviously, you all did!

Rick / OCRR

Bud Bent

Low blood pressure, as long as it's not severe, is actually a good problem to have. The low blood pressure of my youth had changed to slightly high blood pressure until I started riding. Now it's usually a little low, but especially after a hard ride in the summer time. I've gone to doctors appointments a couple of times after a ride, and they look at you a bit funny when your blood pressure checks as 101/61.

bikerwannabe

I've always had low BP and also "orthostatic hypotension" (lightheaded upon standing due to a drop in BP). The symptom is that things go black and I can't see for about a second or two, though I've never passed out. All I need to do is 1) stand still (so I don't walk into something!) and 2) flex my calves to force the blood upwards. That seems do the trick for me everytime.

I didn't know that about dehydration - thanks for that info.

John E

Something like 105/60 is probably near-ideal, but doctors are too accustomed to dealing a marginally sick population.

Velo Dog

Mine runs a little high if I don't watch it closely, but my wife's has been in the 105/60 range for years. Even in her late 50s, she never comes close to "normal" BP. In general her docs love that, because it reduces the chance of a lot of late-life complications, but she does occasionally feel light-headed if she stands up suddenly, like after a movie or on an airplane. She's learned to anticipate that and compensates, for instance by rising slowly and holding onto the seat in front of her for a few seconds until she stabilizes. At least in her case, it rarely takes more than three or four seconds.