Re: Low BP, High Pulse Rate...



elgoog wrote:
> Brian K wrote:
> > "elgoog" bjdefend-newsgro...@xxxxxxxxx
> >
> > "Without a diagnosis, none that are safe. I think you've already
> > learned
> > to be careful of the advice you may receive. It's an interesting
> > problem and I'll give it some thought..."
> >
> > I appreciate that very much.
> >
> > "I doubt it would help your specific problem, but it wouldn't hurt to
> >
> > look into breathing exercises, yoga (stretches only) and meditation.
> > You might also take a look at what you are eating. It may not help the
> > specific problem, but it may help you to feel better and cope with this
> >
> > period while looking for a diagnosis."
> >
> > Here's an interesting matter regarding diet: My brother who is 6
> > years older, called me up the day after the first time I ended up in
> > the ER with a pseudo-heartattack and told me that he had gone through
> > the vary same routine. He said anecdotally, that he was wondering if
> > someone was slipping cocaine into his food or something. He went on to
> > blame the whole problem on sodium and told me that he had restricted
> > himself to 500mg of sodium a day. He also said he cut out all types of
> > stimulants; Coffee, cola, tea, "Red Bull" et al. Now, I for some
> > time also cut way down on the sodium by avoiding any sort of prepared
> > foods and only eating fresh meats and vegetables that I prepared
> > myself. However, seeing as I'm on what's supposed to be a really
> > good blood pressure medication; Avalide 300/12.5 and my BP had been low
> > to acceptable, and my heart rate had been an average of 80 for several
> > weeks, I've reverted to eating more prepared foods and consuming
> > caffeinated beverages at times. Could it be that I'm so sodium and
> > caffeine intolerant that this finally caught up with me and, BOOM in
> > one day my heart rate goes sky high and I'm back to the ER again? It
> > does seem that my heart rate may be gradually tapering off now that
> > I'm back on an exclusive diet of fresh meats and vegetables with no
> > sort of seasonings containing sodium.
> >
> > But then again, maybe my heart rate may be tapering down only because
> > my thyroid, or my possible pheochromocytoma, or whatever, is settling
> > back down irregardless of my diet, for the time being.
> >
> > May 26, 2005 12:45pm: BP 129/80 - Pulse 100.
> >
> > There were free chilidogs, chips and cola being offered at work today,
> > I decided not to take any chances :0
> >
> > Thanks again,
> > Brian
>
> I think that 500mg sodium per day might be a little too restrictive.
> The RDA for most adults is 2400mg sodium. A low sodium diet of <1500mg
> may help control hypertension. I suspect your brother meant to say
> <1500mg per day. Salt occurs naturally in some quantity in just about
> everything we eat.

No, he meant 500mg. But knowing him he's probably setting the bar extra
low, knowing that he'll likely exceed whatever bar he sets. So in
reality he's probably taking in more than 500.

> It might be advisable to avoid caffeine and other stimulants - those
> energy drinks, and some supposedly healthful drinks can pack a whollop.
> If you are taking herbal supplements or energy drinks, some of these
> may have an adverse reaction with your medication. If you are taking
> anything including "natural" products, you can discuss it with your
> pharmacist.

I avoid that stuff like the plague. The only thing I take to stay
pumped up is a big 'ol daily multi vitamin. I also take extra B12,
zinc and magnesium for BP and tinnitus. But that is it.

> In particular, Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve may cause an adverse reaction
> when taken with Avalide.

I only take one of those 81mg aspirins a day, nothing else.

> In addition, there are many more over the counter drugs that while
> maybe not having an adverse interaction with Avalide should still be
> avoided due to your BP, e.g. many antihistamines. Do you have
> allergies, what do you take?

I have mild hay fever allergies, but I don't take anything for them.
Right now I have a low grade cold, but I'm not planning to take
anything for that either.

> Even though you are on a BP medication, you should still think about
> better eating habits and exercise. The DASH eating plan has been
> clinically proven to reduce BP in many cases eliminating the need for
> BP medication altogether - you might want to look into it,

Oh, I'm definitely back on the better diet wagon, but I haven't
checked into any particular subscribed diet plans. Right now I'm just
back to making my own food from fresh ingredients. Restaurant and fast
food is always going to be loaded with sodium for flavor. Packaged
foods are always loaded with sodium based preservatives.

The thing is, that my BP readings have been good to excellent for weeks
now. Like I said,(and hence the title of this thread; Low BP, High
Pulse Rate) during my sky high pulse rate attack my BP was very low.
That's what concerns me. My high pulse rates were supposed to be due
to high blood pressure. If I have a pulse of 120 and my BP is only
something like 136/80, then it seems to be a foregone conclusion that
my high pulse rate is due to something other than just high blood
pressure. Up till May 23 after weeks of taking Avalide my pulse rate
was an average of 80. Then all of a sudden it went bananas again. The
25th it stayed at 120 for a long period of time. Yesterday the 26th it
was down to 90. Today the 27th it's starting to race again. I'm seeing
a board certified cardiologist June 2nd (and I plan on asking him to
test for pheochromocytoma as Dr. Chung recommended) and I've got a
thyroid test in the works. And my GP is referring my to another
cardiologist to be fitted with a 30 day monitor to check for things
like super ventricular tachycardia. I guess that's about all I can do
for the time being...

> http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/
>
> At least, eat more fruit and veggies.

I am now. And I drink gallons of orange, grape and cranberry juice. And
lots of water too.

> I don't think that your symptoms would normally be associated with
> caffeine/sodium intolerance.

Well, as mom would say "they aren't helping any".

> Chili dogs would be like little torpedoes of death for me - but, they
> do sound good.

Tell me about it.

> -elgoog

.

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