blood pressure

Mod-LadyCoconut · #1 July 13th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Can you guys tell me about your blood pressure during pregnancy? Since my mom's heart attack last year she has an automatic blood pressure cuff at home and we'll check ours. Mine was really low today -- last check it was 75/51 with a pulse of 104. I did some quick googling and it said that pregnancy can cause lower blood pressure. I'm not sure if I should be concerned or what cause it seems awfully low.

So... was yours low too? Do I need to do anything?

A*LOT*OF*HOPE · #2 July 13th, 2009, 05:23 PM

I have no idea with the pregnancy and low BP, but that seems really low!! I would notify your DR at your next appt, maybe sooner if it stays low!

#3 July 13th, 2009, 05:35 PM

Maybe you need to tighten the cuff? That doesn't sound normal, but I have no clue really. I would think you would be seeing stars with those numbers though!

Mod-LadyCoconut · #4 July 13th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Cuff definitely doesn't need to be tightened. haha. I think I would die if it got any tighter -- I hate those things. But it's pretty much wrapped around snuggly as it is and then you just wrap the velcro so it's hard to get it wrong. Everyone else (mom, sister, neice) all took theirs and had normal blood pressures so it's not the machine either. When the paramedics got to my mom during her heart attach it was like 70/50 which is why I was like *** when mine dropped to that low. It had been like 82/60 something earlier in the day.

Mod-LadyCoconut · #5 July 13th, 2009, 05:42 PM

double post

Lash · #6 July 13th, 2009, 05:48 PM

Dang that does sound low. Mine runs pretty low, but not that low-- the 50's is the part that is kinda scary to me!

greeneyes · #7 July 13th, 2009, 05:52 PM

If it's an automatic cuff then it's probably correct. Both your systolic and disstolic are low, but are normal in relation to each other. Low blood pressure in pregnancy is very common and is usually at it's lowest during the first part of your second trimester. The placenta is done forming and is now sustaining the fetus and your circulatory system is expanding rapidly to meet the circulatory needs of your baby. The best thing you can do is to listen to your body and take it easy when you need to. Also, don't lay on your back, only on your side. Laying on your back causes your uterus to rest on your inferior vena cava and will cause your blood pressure to dip even more.

Oriyan · #8 July 13th, 2009, 06:10 PM

My blood pressure has been low my entire pregnancy and my pulse rate high. The highest recorded has been about 103/65. The lowest about 85/45ish.

I have not had to do anything at all. The only issue with low blood pressure is if its low and you want to get an epidural, your gonna need tons of fluids first to bring up your pressure and if it doesn't go up enough, you might not be able to get an epidural.

soImarriedAnerd · #9 July 13th, 2009, 06:52 PM

Whats your normal BP? How did you FEEL when it was that number. Some women can run pretty low and be totally fine (and that can be their normal). But if your feeling lighthead or seeing spots then I would be more nervous about it (because then is symptomatic low BP). My BP's have ran about 100/60 most of my pregnancy (its a little lower then my norm 120/60). What does your provider get when you check it at the office?
Make sure your drinking lots of fluid also---its REALLY important to stay hydrated while your body is ramping up your blood supply!!!

Mod-LadyCoconut · #10 July 13th, 2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soImarriedAnerd

Whats your normal BP? How did you FEEL when it was that number. Some women can run pretty low and be totally fine (and that can be their normal). But if your feeling lighthead or seeing spots then I would be more nervous about it (because then is symptomatic low BP). My BP's have ran about 100/60 most of my pregnancy (its a little lower then my norm 120/60). What does your provider get when you check it at the office?
Make sure your drinking lots of fluid also---its REALLY important to stay hydrated while your body is ramping up your blood supply!!!

I don't know what my 'normal' is really b/c i've had that stupid vein phobia thing so it's not until the last few months that I've gotten okay with it. When I've done it at my moms a handful of times before now it's normally like 110 over like 78-80ish if I'm remembering correctly. I know when I went to my GP when I had that fever it was 112 over something in the high 70's. I've been feeling hot/dizzy/lightheaded pretty often since becoming pregnant where a couple times the corners started to go dark like I was going to pass out. Today I felt mostly normal except for once during dinner where things started spinning a bit. I've had two OB appointments and both times they haven't told me what my BP was so I don't know, but I'm guessing it was around the normal 110ish range? I would think if it were this low they'd mention it because even if it's okay it's kind of interesting. haha.

I've been staying plenty hydrated ... getting in my minimum of 64 ounces of water a day like a good girl. I'm thirsty ALL.THE.TIME so that's been pretty easy.

soImarriedAnerd · #11 July 13th, 2009, 07:25 PM

I'd mention it at your next appointment that it seems to run low at times (start writing down when/what you get). If you pass out--CALL THE PROVIDER! Keep up on your vitamins (because low iron has many of the same side effects of low BP). If you seem to notice your feeling it more often --it would be worth the $20 to get a cuff for your home and just kind of do spot checks, so when you feel iffy take it and see what it is.

Mars · #12 July 14th, 2009, 04:36 AM

I have no idea but I think you should mention it at your next appointment. Ive never heard of readings so low.

bittersweet · #13 July 14th, 2009, 04:57 AM

It should not be getting that low consistently. 70s/50s is generally not enough to give good organ perfusion. Take it 2-3 times a day and record it. See what it averages out to. The systolic and diastolic alone dont mean a whole lot, it is your MAP that matters most. To find out your MAP use this formula [(2xDBP) + SBP] /3. If that number is consistently less than 60, then it could be an issue. When that happens, your body shunts blood away from some 'less important' things like your baby, gut, and kidneys in order to perfuse to your heart, lungs and brain.

I would definatly get this checked by the Dr. to make sure your kindeys and baby are ok. But be sure to bring in your recorded numbers b/c the second you walk into the Drs office, between being slightly anxious and the normal day activity, you BP will for sure be normal and they'll think you are crazy

In the meantime, drink more water.

Mjp121212 · #14 July 14th, 2009, 04:59 AM

has it been calibrated lately? Mine never got that low....at least I don't remember if it did.

Adriana's Mommy · #15 July 14th, 2009, 07:17 AM

I don't have low blood pressure.. But my step-mom does.. She has to take heart medications every day for it.. She said at one appointment, her Dr. said there's no way she could be alive with blood pressure like that..

Her low blood pressure is caused by genetics, the joys of being 1/2 American Indian..