Low Blood Pressure, Palpitations, Magnesium and Potassium

For the past 3 weeks I have had continuous problems with heart palpitations (pounding away 24 hrs each day) with my resting pulse reaching 155 at times, blood pressure as low as 77/54 (I usually have high blood pressure), dizziness when I got up, light headedness, and fatigue. I almost could not complete my 25 mile bike ride on Saturday last.

I have been going through some different hypertension BP meds as a result of a change of medical carriers and what meds they alllow on their formulary. I first tried an ACE inhibitor - coughing and other side effects - then Cozaar, from which I also developed coughing after 2 weeks. I remained on the HCTZ as a base.

I have attempted to keep in contact with my MD along the way, sending faxes as to my progress. I tried reducing the amount of BP meds, as my BP went way low. I tried going back to my original Diavan BP meds. Nothing helped, and my heart rate was still headed all over the place.

I had had an ECG just a few weeks prior to all of this and the Doc said "Beautiful" I wasn't too worried about the actual condition of the heart, and palpitations can be harmless, even though annoying as he!!.

I finally stopped everything except the HCTZ, careful to monitor the BP, which was fine.

I did a lot in internet research, and finally came across an article concerning palpitations and magnesium, and also, palpitations and potassium.

So, today, I went to the store and bought magnesium and potassium. I took one pill each and went to a meeting. I came home two hours later and:

The heart had completely stopped its palpitations, was totally steady, and remains so this evening.

Blood pressure was excellent - in the range of 120/80 and remains so.

Now, why hadn't my doc bothered to tell me this? I sent her two faxes describing what was going on. She never called. I didn't ask her to call, but she should have known friom my symptoms as I described them what was going on! As I thought about it today, potassium depletion could cause all of the symptoms. Whay did I take me so long to figure this out? I am not sure as to the role of the magnesium, but see no harm in continuing.

Yours with a perfect heart beat!