QuestionI'll summarize then give more details. I'm 26, been physically inactive for the last few months, had high blood pressure but discontinued my daily chronic alcohol intake and chewing tobacco. My blood pressure is now better. I'm not so sure it's acceptable, but it's better. My main concern recently has been my resting heart rate. This morning it was 54. I've monitored it as low as 48.
I'll expand.
My blood pressure was almost always in the 180/100 range before. I was put on Benicar by my once cardiologist and my blood pressure came down to an acceptable number to him. I was traveling a lot from state to state for work and started to have light-headedness episodes. We ended up cutting the benicar and my blood pressure normalized to a level that he felt I was no longer in need of the medication. He performed a stress test with imaging of the heart, echo, EKG, tilt table test and everything came back normally. The only test that he did not get to complete was a check of my thyroid before I lost my job, and subsequently my insurance. This was back in 2006.
Fast forward to 2008. I went into drinking heavily, using tobacco heavily and my blood pressure went back through the roof. As I was still dealing with insurance issues, I was put on Lisinopril and my blood pressure came down lower than ever and was under control. I completely discontinued my use of any stimulants- Chocolate, caffeine, nicotene. Alcohol completley out of the picture. My blood pressure has been on average 150/75. My systolic number varies, to the point that one evening my BP fell to 98/59. One time only. The lowest I have seen it since was 120.
I'm overweight, probably hovering around 250. I'm 5'10. I have been dealing with anxiety and the doctor prescribed me xanax (.5mg 2x a day). I've been panic attack free, but my pulse is eternally low, hovering around 50. I can increase my pulse by getting up and moving around, but it almost always immediately returns to 50ish when I sit back down for a minute. I also get headaches quite frequently.
When I physically exert myself, my pulse jumps quite high rather quickly and I get tired out quickly. I have a sinus arrythymia that is very pronounced. I notice that I can breathe deeply and my pulse will come up into the 70 range, but if I sit normally as I do most of the time and do an honest reading, it will be in the 50 range. With the sinus, i've noticed that i can breathe in deeply and feel my pulse race for 4-5 beats, then breathe out and feel it stop for 2 seconds or more, then begin again slowly, until the deep breath makes it race again. :/
I'm so worried about this. I don't have insurance, so seeing a cardiologist is almost out of the question. I see a doctor at a clinic that has a sliding pay scale, but it takes weeks to get in to see someone and all they want to do is throw a pill at you and send you home. I have a wife that I love to death... I need to be healthy for her.
My current blood pressure/pulse reading is: 128/69 with a pulse of 54.
I used to be an athlete in high school, was training with the Marine Corps. I got out of shape in 2002ish, but not obese until 2005-06. The drinking really got me big.
Maybe the heart rate is due to the xanax, i've read that it could be an effect from that. Since taking the lisinopril (that I no longer take), i haven't been the same person. My normal definitely changed for the long term.
Thanks for your time. Life is hell for me right now worrying about this.
-James
AnswerIf your pulse responds to exercise, it doesn't worry me that your resting pulse is low. This may be a result of your previous physical activity. And you already had the heart testing showing there wasn't some nerve conduction problem in the heart. The resting pulse doesn't matter..... you have done well with the addictive substances.... now work on the weight and your exercise program.....
