I don't think my blood pressure is too low, but I don't know why I almost fainted coming out of the shower this evening.

I had my blood pressure checked during my a visit to the doctor last week. It was 102/60. I didn't think anything of it. I usually have low-ish blood pressure, but it's more around 110/70.

I have never fainted in my life, never even come close to fainting. Didn't even know that's what almost happened -- my husband was the one who told me that's what it was. All I know is that I became very light headed, right when I was walking out of the shower and I had to lay down very quickly -- almost didn't make it to the bed in time. Once I laid down I was fine. I felt a little jittery, but I was fine. My husband got me a glass of water and I laid there for about 30 minutes. Now I feel okay.

Any ideas?

--CarrieLynn

It could be that your BP got too low. It could also have been low blood sugar. Had you eaten breakfast yet? I fainted quite a few times when I was young and skinny. (BMI=17.1) Most frequently it was when I wasn't feeling well otherwise, but I suspect it was a combination of low blood pressure and low blood sugar. I never went to the doctor about it.

It could be that your BP got too low. It could also have been low blood sugar. Had you eaten breakfast yet? I fainted quite a few times when I was young and skinny. (BMI=17.1) Most frequently it was when I wasn't feeling well otherwise, but I suspect it was a combination of low blood pressure and low blood sugar. I never went to the doctor about it.

It's evening and I just took my shower. I didn't eat a lot today, but I did have a small breakfast with protein) and protein for lunch, plus a snack of almond M&Ms. I didn't really feel hungry. I hiked for about 20 minutes earlier today, but it was easy. I usually walk/run for 60+ minutes, so an easy walk of 20 minutes should be no big deal.

I'm wondering if the shower got too hot or something -- the hot water was feeling really good and I stayed in there awhile. Maybe I didn't drink enough water.

It's kind of spooked me because I've usually been the one who DOESN'T have this kind of stuff happen. I turned 42 recently, so who knows. I've been feeling older than my age lately, which is unlike me. I'm not too skinny -- weigh 135 and I'm 5'4". (Have been wanting to lose about 10 pounds for awhile, but it's just not happening because my body has been feeling a bit too fatigued lately.)

Thank you for your reply.

--CarrieLynn

Your mention about possible low blood pressure and the temperature of the water brings to mind an article I read recently about deaths occurring among the elderly in Japan from bathing. The article says there are 14,000 sudden deaths during bathing a year in Japan. You certainly aren't "elderly" and you were taking a shower, you were not immersed, but nonetheless, I'm sure the temperature of the water and the length of time in the shower may have been a factor, especially since you say you have fairly low BP anyway. If you are so inclined to check out the article just for curiousity sake, you'll find it at:

http://www.tmig.or.jp/topics/topics_02_1.html

Heat can cause lower blood pressure, I've noticed this myself. So I'd put it down to the heat of the shower...

The mechanism is logical.
When your body gets hot by whatever means, the body tries to release heat by opening the arterioles and flooding the skin with hot blood. This process decreases vascular resistance A LOT. If your BP is normally low, it can go FAINTILNGLY low.

I noticed the same thing after the steam room yesterday...I could barely crawl home and when I sat down and took my Bp I got 110/60 :eek:...and I am a HYPERTENSIVE!

Your mention about possible low blood pressure and the temperature of the water brings to mind an article I read recently about deaths occurring among the elderly in Japan from bathing. The article says there are 14,000 sudden deaths during bathing a year in Japan. You certainly aren't "elderly" and you were taking a shower, you were not immersed, but nonetheless, I'm sure the temperature of the water and the length of time in the shower may have been a factor, especially since you say you have fairly low BP anyway. If you are so inclined to check out the article just for curiousity sake, you'll find it at:

http://www.tmig.or.jp/topics/topics_02_1.html

That's a really interesting article. Fascinating that something so seemingly safe can cause so many deaths.

--CarrieLynn

Heat can cause lower blood pressure, I've noticed this myself. So I'd put it down to the heat of the shower...

I am thinking that's what it was. Because after I drank a couple of glasses of water and rested for awhile I felt better.

It was just weird and totally unexpected. For some reason I think my blood pressure is becoming lower and lower, so the heat may have really affected me. (I may have some other issues... am seeing a number of doctors to figure out what's gong on.)

--CarrieLynn

The mechanism is logical.
When your body gets hot by whatever means, the body tries to release heat by opening the arterioles and flooding the skin with hot blood. This process decreases vascular resistance A LOT. If your BP is normally low, it can go FAINTILNGLY low.

I noticed the same thing after the steam room yesterday...I could barely crawl home and when I sat down and took my Bp I got 110/60 :eek:...and I am a HYPERTENSIVE!

Interesting! Thanks for the scientific explanation. How did you feel with a 110/60 blood pressure? That's near to how I am normally, but interestingly I have lots of anxiety and can be a hyper person.

--CarrieLynn

Since taking medication for high BP I rarely use the shower now. Things which I have noticed cause me to go faint are:
standing as in queues, the shower, after eating meals, warm rooms, hot water, breathing in steamy air from the shower. The warmer the room the greater the effect of faintness coming on.
Things which help if I recognise in time what's happening is to move about more but if it's too late for that the only thing to do is lie down before falling as you did.
I've measured my own BP after taking a bath - it always go down quite a lot. If I go faint it's very low. But when my GP measures my BP it's high.

after eating meals

You might want to look up post-prandial hypotension...
And maybe orthostatic hypotension as well, if it happens while in queues.

I also get faint in some circumstances: for example having to stand upright in overcrowded transportation with warm clothes on.
At home my BP is usually around 85-100/50-65, but it spikes big time at the doctor's. Never measured it right after a bath, would be interesting.

The mechanism is logical.
When your body gets hot by whatever means, the body tries to release heat by opening the arterioles and flooding the skin with hot blood. This process decreases vascular resistance A LOT. If your BP is normally low, it can go FAINTILNGLY low.

I noticed the same thing after the steam room yesterday...I could barely crawl home and when I sat down and took my Bp I got 110/60 :eek:...and I am a HYPERTENSIVE!

Well I tested the theory last night and it definitely did lower my BP. Mine was elevated to 167/90 P 81 :eek: I took a hot shower for about ten minutes and when I came out and measured it again, it was 149/76 P 121. I suppose it makes sense that the pulse goes up since I'm assuming the heart beats faster when surrounded by heat.

Interesting! Thanks for the scientific explanation. How did you feel with a 110/60 blood pressure? That's near to how I am normally, but interestingly I have lots of anxiety and can be a hyper person.

--CarrieLynn

CarrieLynn,
In a word, I felt WONDERFUL...like drifting off from Demerol...but I'm glad I didn't have to move from the recliner or multiply 2 numbers higher than FOUR.

Well I tested the theory last night and it definitely did lower my BP. Mine was elevated to 167/90 P 81 :eek: I took a hot shower for about ten minutes and when I came out and measured it again, it was 149/76 P 121. I suppose it makes sense that the pulse goes up since I'm assuming the heart beats faster when surrounded by heat.

I know that when I exercise in the summer, I always have a higher heart rate doing the same exercise.. it's usually about 10 bpm higher on average. (That's just a guesstimate.)

--CarrieLynn

CarrieLynn,
In a word, I felt WONDERFUL...like drifting off from Demerol...but I'm glad I didn't have to move from the recliner or multiply 2 numbers higher than FOUR.

I can tell you that this is NOT how I feel at that blood pressure. I definitely don't feel relaxed. Isn't that interesting?

--CarrieLynn

when mine drops I get very jittery.. I get shaky and I can't think straight, but I get nervous and anxious at the same time. I get tired, but at the same time can't sleep.. it's annoying.. my normal bp is 110/70 but it's been measured down to 80/60. Never had it formally diagnosed though even though the low number was actually recorded by a doctor (but he was an idiot anyway).