DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writing you in desperation about my low blood pressure. I know very little about low BP and your “browse-by-topic” has very little to help my problem. I am 83, male, 216 pounds. I use prescriptions for a poor prostate only. I have always been quite active and strong.
For around three years now, I have been taking my own BP readings. Most all of them are too low. My doctor doesn’t seem to want to talk about this, yet if I walk only a matter of a 100 feet, I feel like I’m going to faint. I am so weak I need to sit down. I feel like I can do anything sitting down. I now use an electric scooter when shopping. Also, my heart skips a beat every few beats.
Some of my recent reading are as follows: 76/44-78, 88/48-55, 97/61-63, 110/63-78, 143/97-62. Please help me.
DEAR READER: Let me start by saying that for ease, I only put in a few of your readings. Of the 16 you gave me, I would consider four of them acceptable (being between 110/63 and 129/61), one high (143/97), and 11 low (being between 76/44 and 102/69). You don’t state at what time of day you took your numbers, any previous activity you may have indulged in, or how many days these numbers represent.
That said, you clearly show a pattern of low blood pressure, interspersed with normal-to-low pulse rates. Combined with your sensation of missing beats, I believe your low blood pressure is a result of your heart, a problem that your physician should clearly be concerned about. In all likelihood, the cause is relatively benign, but a more serious condition could be to blame. Without appropriate testing, a diagnosis cannot be made. Another culprit may be one or more of your prescription prostate meds. Without knowing which you are taking; however, I cannot determine if this is a possibility.
My advice to you is to make an appointment with your physician and demand his attention in the matter. If he continues to refuse, find a new physician. Because you are 83, I assume you are on Medicare, which means you should be able to locate a cardiologist (heart specialist) and make an appointment without a referral from your primary care physician. Whether you choose to start with another primary care physician or go straight to the specialist, you need to explain the situation. You should also bring your medical records to the appointment along with a list of your medication and any over-the-counter supplements you may be on but don’t count as drugs. It may be beneficial to bring in a list of your blood pressure/pulse readings (to include date and time) and your symptoms.
There is no reason for your physician to consistently ignore your requests for help. It is unacceptable and you shouldn’t stand for it.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.
