True Problem or Anxiety - Heart Disorders Message Board

B143C · 05-14-2007, 07:38 PM

Last week after sitting for a long period of time and looking down to write, I got up out of the floor and thought I was going to hit the floor. I called the nurse line at our local hospital and she said it sounded like I was just dehydrated or got up to fast. All week off and on I've had what feels like a tension headache - really tense in the neck and shoulders. Now everytime I get up from sitting down my heart beat is pounding in my chest. I have a history of anxiety disorder and panic attacks. About two years ago I had every heart test under the sun done and they found nothing but anxiety again and what the doc called "normal irregular beats now and then" that he said we all have now and then. My blood pressure is always below average and considered very low. Could this be a form of anxiety? I am under A LOT of stress lately. I'm only 22 - but my hubby and I have three little ones. I stay quite frazzled constantly.

Thanks for your help guys!

andreanna · 05-14-2007, 10:50 PM

Low blood pressure could cause the symptoms you describe. I was told to drink VERY cold ice water to bring BP up and to get up slower that just jumping up know what I mean.

Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between anxiety and a true problem ( even if small or no big deal) becasue some heart conditions are not constant so during tests your heart could behave normally.

I also get headaches when my BP is low. Try to get the extra cold water and keep hydrated and dont get up real fast. But most important dont stress about it casue then it will be much harder to tell anxiety from a possible issue. But even if it isnt anxiety it doesnt sound like a serious problem. But if it becomes problem-some for you keep telling yoru Dr's.

Good Luck

B143C · 05-15-2007, 07:29 AM

Thanks so much. This is so very helpful. My blood pressure has always been low and as a mom of three, it's hard to take time to take care of yourself. As all we women know! =) I'm going to start drinking a lot more water and the cold water trick is super neat! Thanks so much! You've really eased my mind. =) God bless!

Lenin · 05-16-2007, 07:53 AM

Low blood pressure drops LOWER when we stand up...the brain doesn't get enough blood momentarily and dizziness occurs and sometimes even fainting.

started04 · 05-16-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenin

Low blood pressure drops LOWER when we stand up...the brain doesn't get enough blood momentarily and dizziness occurs and sometimes even fainting.

If that is true, then why doesn't a giraffe faint?

I'm not convinced lower bp drop (although that is the general explanation) when carotid arteries constrict when one lowers their head and that lowers the blood pressure reaching the head. Raising the head dilate the carotid arteries raising the pressure. Doesn't work all the time to prevent fainting.