Question about blood pressure and weight loss

NashvilleScott

I've asked my MFP friends and get varying answers. When you excercise daily and start eating better and losing weight, will that cause your blood pressure to drop? I know its going to drop some because the heart does not have to work as hard, however mine seems to be going very very low. Even when I was much bigger my BP was pretty good averaging around 115/70.

Well, since January 14th 2013 I have lost over 60 pounds and usually try and walk at a minimum 5 miles every single day. I still do not eat "healthy" but I eat much less and no more really bad foods. Anyways, I started noticing about 6 weeks ago that my BP (I check it daily) was averaging around 100/50 and a few times the bottom number has gotten in to the 40's and the top number has dropped as low as the 80's. Yesterday it was 85/44 after I got through mowing the grass in 95 degrees and my HR was 151.

I went to the doctor about 3 weeks ago and told him. He ran several blood tests and the only think that came back out of whack was my bilirubin levels, which have nothing to do with my heart or my BP. They gave me an EKG which was normal. This still concerns me though. I am no doctor, but it seems really too low.

Has anyone else experienced this with their weight loss or have an opinion as whether this is dangerously low?

Thanks!! Also, feel free to add me, always looking for new motivated friends!

scottb81

This may or may not apply to you but one symptom of overtraining/under-recovery is lower than usual blood pressure and heartrate. I have experienced that and it went back to normal once I rested some.

rick_po

That's pretty darn low. I would be extra careful about drinking enough water. Dehydration can definitely cause low blood pressure.

sgtbrown

I agree with rick_po. You may be dehydrated AND not eating enough. If you don't have enough fuel, your body could go into "starvation mode" and begin slowing everything down. Do you drink lots of water? Replenish electrolytes lost?

NashvilleScott

I can't lie.... When I am at work I drink lots of water (because its purified here and free). When I am at work, I walk indoors in a/c. I work 3-4 days per week.

The other days when I am at home and I walk outside or do yard work, golf in the heat I do not drink water very often. I drink Coke Zero. I feel great though.

Hexahedra

I used to have low blood pressure when I was much younger, to the point where I occasionally felt dizzy and lightheaded. As long as you don't experience these things I think you're ok, especially since the doc couldn't find anything. Unlike hypertension, low blood pressure is relatively easy to handle. Just make sure you have enough sodium and drink electrolytes instead of plain water.

It's interesting that I also had an issue with my bilirubin level. It's supposed to have nothing to do with BP, but perhaps we share whatever underlying condition that caused these symptoms.

EDollah

If you doubt your doctor's diagnosis, I'd suggest a second opinion from another doctor long before seeking advice on real health issues from anyone on mfp.