Shortness of breath/Low BP

[wondering1719]

Hello,

I've been having some shortness of breath the last few weeks, which I have been trying to attribute to anxiety, but my blood pressure has also been low--usually 115/75, now usually 99/60, once 92/52.  Is this a dangerous sign?  I have very mild chest pain, which I also had last time I was anxious with shortness of breath, although then my blood pressure was high.  Thanks for any help.

Wondering1719

[kenkeith]

I was referring to systole.— a drop from 130 systolic to 110 systolic, for example — can cause dizziness and fainting when the brain fails to receive an adequate supply of blood.  Assuming a possible heart condition...it  can lead to low blood pressure that include extremely low heart rate (bradycardia), heart valve problems, heart attack and heart failure. These conditions may cause low blood pressure because they prevent one's body from being able to circulate enough blood....Need a diagnosis...low heart rate and/or low blood pressure can/will cause syncope. Depends on the underlying cause.  

[ed34]

"The danger of low blood pressure is passing out"

Well that's not strictly true. I was admitted back to hospital after 2 days due to being prescribed incorrect blood pressure medication. My bp was 66/51 but I wasn't passing out. I was having strange chest sensations and several experts told me if I had waited more than 24hours to return to hospital, I would have died. They explained how my major organs would have all closed down.

[kenkeith]

The danger of low blood pressure is passing out, but the range you have indicated does not quite reach that metric...medication keeps my bp low, and the doctor states he wants it as low as possible without side effects.

The real concern would be shortness of breath and chest pain.  If it is anxiety or phsysical exertion, the stress can be damaging to the heart cells by decreasing blood/oxygen to heart cells, and that would be the cause of chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath.  If you have a heart problem, you  would want to control anxiety.  Its good advice to see a doctor.

[ed34]

I totally agree, and your bp does seem concerningly low to me.

[Tiarachael]

I would make a doctor's appt. and go to the ER next time you have chest pain.  Chest pain and shortness of breath is not something you want to ignore.  It's important to find out whether there's an underlying issue.  It could be nothing at all but anxiety or panic attacks, but you will want to find out from a doctor.