blood pressure standing up

[red1mot]

hi i seem to recall seeing something about this but cant really remember when i take my blood pressure on a decent home machine my bp is ok its about 140/80 but if i stand up and take it straight away its down to 120/70 anyone come across this thanks i think it may be connected to my diabeties

 

[EllsKBells]

Hi @redmot that sounds a lot like my condition, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardic Syndrome). Basically, you stand up, your blood pressure drops, and your heart races to compensate. The test for it is a tilt table. It is not directly connected to diabetes, but it is seen in a fair few diabetics - can I ask if you have any neuropathy, or what your control is like?

The thing is, I'm not sure that it would be diagnosed as that, if that is what it is - I am not a doctor, or any expert, just pointing out the similarities - because a 'normal' blood pressure is 120/80, so yours is about fine, even though you are experiencing symptoms, so they are not going to give you anything to raise it, because hypertension is just as bad.

I think the best thing to do would be to see your doctor.

Hope this helps

 

[red1mot]

Hi @redmot that sounds a lot like my condition, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardic Syndrome). Basically, you stand up, your blood pressure drops, and your heart races to compensate. The test for it is a tilt table. It is not directly connected to diabetes, but it is seen in a fair few diabetics - can I ask if you have any neuropathy, or what your control is like?

The thing is, I'm not sure that it would be diagnosed as that, if that is what it is - I am not a doctor, or any expert, just pointing out the similarities - because a 'normal' blood pressure is 120/80, so yours is about fine, even though you are experiencing symptoms, so they are not going to give you anything to raise it, because hypertension is just as bad.

I think the best thing to do would be to see your doctor.

Hope this helps

 

[red1mot]

Hi thanks for this yes I have neuropathy legs are quite bad my bloods were 55, 4 moths ago was admitted to hospital 7 days on insulin drip now bs are down to to 10 ish sometimes bit higher other times a bit lower little as 4 injecting 2 times a day and taking sitaglipin eating sensibly the drop in bp is quite significant t glad you have given me a name for it

 

[EllsKBells]

Then based on what the specialist cardiac nurse told me - and this was just my experience - it isn't technically true POTS, but will ease up if you amange to improve your control or reverse your neuropathy somewhat.

Just to give you an idea of what mine looks like - when they tested me, in about 60 seconds, my bp dropped to 40/20, and my heart rate was over 250.

Also, sorry, I get myself mixed up. The blood pressure thing is called Orthostatic Hypotension, POTS is if there is a rise in heart rate. I'm just lucky enough to have both

You should definitely speak to your diabetes team.

You can help by making sure you drink plenty of water (2-3 litres/day) and making sure you eat a good amount of salt, which i realise is contrary to most advice!

 

[Dark Horse]

You should wait for 1 minute after standing before measuring BP. This article explains that normally there would be little difference with a standing BP measurement but there can be a drop in the elderly, people with diabetes and people with postural hypotension. https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinic...ng-and-standing-blood-pressure/199224.article

 

[dbr10]

hi i seem to recall seeing something about this but cant really remember when i take my blood pressure on a decent home machine my bp is ok its about 140/80 but if i stand up and take it straight away its down to 120/70 anyone come across this thanks i think it may be connected to my diabeties

No. I think that's fairly normal. It will adjust when you stand up. In older people it tends not to, which is why they are more prone to falls if they stand up to quickly.
@Dark Horse says it better.

 

[Brunneria]

I would check with your doctor about this, and request that it be monitored.

If blood pressure drops sharply when we stand, there are risks of falling and injury, which could be potentially nasty. Hopefully you can get some information on whether it is related to neuropathy.

Vaguely remember seeing this mentioned in one of Dr Bernstein's video talks on neuropathy. I can have a look for the link, if you would like?

 

[red1mot]

thanks everyone for your replies