Blood Pressure re reduced calories and metformin

[jim1951]

I have been on blood pressure medication for about 20 years, it normally runs at 150/80.

I have been on metformin 1x500 for 3 months now and have reduced calorie intake by 50% and shed 28 lbs.

In the evenings I have increasingly noticed becoming light headed if I get up from sitting too quickly, a sure sign of low blood pressure.

I have started checking my blood pressure, which I don't do normally and was surprised to see it running at figures like 105/54 or 109/51.

Does anybody know whether figures like this can be caused by Metformin in combination with other blood pressure medication, or, can it be caused by low calorie intake over a period of time?

jim

 

[cold ethyl]

Weight loss is a recommended method of blood pressure control so if you are losing weight you might need to tweak the BP meds in consultation with your GP. Keep recording it to show them. I suffer from white coat syndrome even when taking it at home and I've noticed since shedding a similar amount of weight that it is going down to normal levels.

 

[sally and james]

I agree with @cold ethyl. I assume your 150/80 readings were taken by a medic, on their premises, so are almost certainly on the high side of what might have been your normal range at that time. Your weight loss will have caused lowering of blood pressure and your body is not yet fully used to these new pressures, hence the light headedness. From experience, I think this will pass. After meals, in the evening and in warm surroundings are classic times to be aware of this. It may be that you can now reduce BP medication.
Sally

 

[jim1951]

No, 150/80 is what I get at home as I also suffer from white coat syndrome!

Normally in surgery it will be 180 or 190 over 85 but I always take in my own monitor which will always show approx. the same reading as the GP/Nurse has just got on their machine, they then rely upon the readings in my machines memory which are obviously lower.

jim

 

[Bluetit1802]

I have sudden BP drops. My average over 12 hours is 116/67. However, after meals it drops significantly and has also done this in the middle of a walk when really it should be higher. I have to be careful standing up too quickly after bending down (after sitting down doesn't seem to affect me) as I go light headed. It isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you are careful not to fall or faint and hurt yourself.

 

[jim1951]

decided to eat a bit more today than I have in the recent past. It was still less than 2500 calories and increased my carbs to 150. It has pushed my blood pressure back up to what I am happier with.
This is just a one off, I will be reducing carbs back down again

jim

 

[JohnD54]

Jim , I am at the beginning of my journey with T2, but 2500 calls per day and the carbs as well seems to high to me.

But as I said I am a newbie , currently less that 1200 calls less than 60gms carbs per da y and BG in normal non T2 range.

 

[JohnD54]

Sorry BP for me 116/65 average

 

[jim1951]

Jim , I am at the beginning of my journey with T2, but 2500 calls per day and the carbs as well seems to high to me.

But as I said I am a newbie , currently less that 1200 calls less than 60gms carbs per da y and BG in normal non T2 range.

Yes, I have lost 28 lbs in 3 months on about 1200 cals and 50/75 carbs. I have a HBA1C next week and hope to see a good reduction from the previous one .

John, my temporary increase in cals was only to see whether the reduction was the cause of low blood pressure.

I am now down to ideal weight and am off on hols for 3 weeks. No doubt I will put some weight back on which I will have to lose again.

I think my biggest problem, which most people face, is deciding what calories and carbs to add back in to maintain a healthy weight.

jim

 

[JohnD54]

@jim1951
I hope I didn't come over as preaching or trying to tell anyone the RIGHT WAY, much to new to this dilemma to advise anyone, I am also on Holiday this week, Friday for 2/3 weeks.

So far 2.5 months have been able to stick to my diet / exercise and lost just under 2 stone.

Got my BG to NORMAL levels and will try to maintain this.

Hopefully won't put too much on in next weeks.

Enjoy your hols and doubtless we can compare notes on our return, all the best