blood pressure replies

[Guest guest]

Lou:

Sometimes it is hard for doctors who don't see it that often to

believe the variations we get in BP readings at home until they experience

the same thing when the patient is in the hospital. Ken's BP could fall in

three minutes from 220/110 to 60/30 if he got up too fast. Passing out

because of a sudden drop in BP was an almost daily event for Ken, especially

after he had had a bowel movement. We just propped him up on the toilet and

waited until he came to before we tried to move him into his wheelchair. He

NEVER ate a meal if he was not in his wheelchair so he wouldn't have to stand

up too soon after eating. We always made him move his arms and legs around

before he attempted to stand. Most of the time, this, along with the

medications kept his BP high enough. We aimed for 170/100 seated if we wanted

him to be able to walk at all because a thirty point drop was unavoidable

when he stood. he also always wore compression hose during the day. With all

this, he did occasionally pass out and fall. The only time he went to the ER

in the last few years of his life was when he stayed passed out for fifteen

minutes one time. The Paramedics took him in on a stretcher, and his BP got

up to 237/120 before they hitched him up in the ER. I watched as the meter

went down very slowly to 170/100, and they released him to go go home since

there was nothing else wrong.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all those who responded about Sam's low bp readings. I see that

his low readings are not out of line with what the rest of you have

experienced. I started to wonder when the doctor seemed doubtful. I guess

the abnormal and outrageous is normal. As usual, we shall all

persevere. Thanks again for the tips. The group always comes through with

reassurance. Lou R.