Low blood pressure?

[WorriedOne84]

For the last 2-3 months my blood pressure has been unusually low.  It isn't uncommon for me to get reading as low as 91/46.  The average is usually between 90-100 over 45-55.  Sometimes I don't exactly feel lightheaded, but something similar to that when I stand up or am bending over.  That may be in my head though since I've been having a ton of health anxiety.  I'm using one of the wrist cuff bp machines so I'm not positive how accurate those are but my dad checks his and it is always in line with his reading at work and the doctors office.  

I have been feeling a little run down and have been having some ear and throat troubles.  About 6 weeks ago I went to my doctor over this, didn't mention the bp,  and he said he thought it was due to a sinus infection.  He said there was a lot of inflammation and that I had a ton of fluid behind my ears.  After taking antibiotics for 2 weeks it still hasn't went away.  Now I feel some sinus pressure, have a slight ear ache from time to time, and my throat stays irritated looking and sometimes feels a little swollen.  The low blood pressure reading have coincided with the ear/throat/sinus troubles and all have been happening for 2-3 months. Could it all be related?

Also wanted to mention that I have had issues with acid reflux.  An upper endoscopy in April showed irritation to my esophagus from it.  Is there any way that acid reflux could be causing the sinus issues?  That wouldn't expalin the bp or could this all somehow tie in together?

I know I need to go back to the doctor but that gives me a ton of anxiety and I get so nervous I do a poor job of explaining my symptoms.  Also, I'll never get a low bp reading there because I get so anxious that my bp is always high like 145-155/90-100. I know this sounds crazy but with the anxiety I've been experiencing I'm scared that maybe all these symptoms are just in my head and that nothing is really wrong - I know something is going on.  What should I do? Thanks in advance!

[WorriedOne84]

Thanks for taking time to respond.  I'm careful to use the bp machine correctly, yet I still get the low readings.  So I guess don't worry too much about it since I'm not having symptoms from the low blood pressure?  It just concerned me because months ago my reading were higher.  It's been throughout this time that I've been having the other issues with my ears/throat/sinuses where my bp has been lower than normal.

I haven't been taking any medication for the acid reflux.  My symptoms of acid reflux only seemed to worsen while I was taking PPIs.  That could very well be because my anxiety was at an all-time high at that point.  I totally convinced myself that something was seriously wrong with me, and that it wasn't just reflux, with all the symptoms I was experiencing at the time (chest discomfort, burping, hiccups, abdominal tenderness, and a few other).  Things have calmed down quite a bit with no medication but I still do have some reflux symptoms.  Maybe I should try on of the over the counter PPIs again to see if it would at least help with the reflux.

The ear/nose/throat stuff is really bothering me.  I still feel as though I have fluid in my ears, especially my right one.  It's also the right side of my throat that feels a little swollen. My ears don't ache constantly just sometimes here and there.  Also have some random quick pains behind my eyes sometimes and sinus pressure.  I guess I don't want to go back to the doctor because I'm still having health anxiety and paranoid that something is wrong or that nothing is wrong and he will think I'm crazy.

I've been speaking with a professional counselor over anxiety and depression issues.  Actually have an appointment with a psychiatrist in a few days so hopefully he is able to help me because I'm driving myself crazy.

Sorry for spilling out my entire boring life story, haha!  Hope you have a good day!

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.

The home BP monitors can be very positional and if not used correctly, you can get inaccurate readings.  Be sure to read the directions and follow them closely so that you are sure that you are getting true blood pressure readings.  

The blood pressure readings you have listed, while on the low side, are not too low.  IF you are not having symptoms of low blood pressure (dizzyness, fainting, etc.) then this may be the normal range for you.  Since you feel anxious at the doctors office, those readings are probably not accurate for you either.

I don't think that the sinus problems are related to your blood pressure.  However, since you completed your antibiotic and you are still having sinus problems, I think you should go back to your doctor.  You may need a different antibiotic or even some steroids to help you get rid of this sinus congestion.    

I also don't think that your acid reflux is related to your sinuses either.  (Although reflux could cause throat irritation)  Are you taking medication for your reflux?   It is important to have it under control since persistent reflux can damage your esophogus.  If you are not taking medication or if you are having reflux despite taking medication, then you need to see your doctor and have this evaluated.  You may need a daily medication to alleviate your symptoms and to protect your esophogus.  Hope this helps. Good luck.

Bridget

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

wow , sounds just like me .. i have been doing same thing with bp. i never take at home but for the last 4-5 months when i go into see a dr its been high 154/88 or last time at cardio itt was 160/90.

so cardio dr wanted to do a few test. with hbp it affects the heart walls etc so she did a echo and it was perfect

so she did a heart 24 hour bp monitor.
i went back to see what she had to say. my bp was 151/91 that morning but by my 24 hour bp monitor it was low never got over 106/60, so she told me to chill out and that it was stress cauing it to go up. anytime i go to dr its high/dentist etc i can go to dr with my hubby or mom and mines high.
so its anxiety/stress with me, i can take it and it was 138/70 so i would worry it was gettinghigher so i would take it every 30 mins and it would get higher. i got it up to 182/96 just stressing myself over it,

i now know my bp is between 111/60 as low as 95/55 just depends. just took it its 112/68. so i rather have low than that high numbers.

anxiety can cause many things that really are not wrong, as you can see with our bp. so try and relax see if it helps but do have a recheck with your dr.