BP meds and heart rate

[epstns]

This one isn't a serious trouble, just a question for understanding.

When I was first examined by cardio, my resting heart rate was always in the low 60's or below. First thing in the AM, often below 50 (48, etc.). My blood pressure was around 15X/100.

Fast forward -- cardio put me on Avalide for BP management. Pressure is now only around 120/85 in AM, lower in PM. This is good, I'm told. (Don't want to go too low, or AS may kick up.) The difference I've noted is that my resting heart rate has increased to the upper 60's or 70's. Also, under exercise conditions, my rate tops out 5 or 10 clicks higher than it used to for the same routine. Everything feels OK, so no worry. Cardio says not to worry -- I'm just curious, is there a logical connection?

SteveE

 

[pillarpaul]

Steve,

I'm sure someone else will be able to explain any correlation (I don't know of any) but I hope you realize high 60's, low 70's is still excellent according to my cardio (that's what I have always run at). My blood pressure was like yours so after my surgery he had me go on a BP med (Lisinopril). I'm now consistently 115-120/70-80 with the same heart rate.

Paul

 

[ccrawford]

Steve - Every time I venture a guess at these relationships, my cardio explains politely how I was wrong, but I'll try again anyway. Your blood vessels are being relaxed by the meds meaning that collectively they have more volume. There is also less resistance to the blood flow. The heart does not have to pump as intensely, but it has to pump more often to meet the flow requirements. You have one guestimated answer. Chris

 

[BillCobit]

BP and HR relationship

BP and HR relationship

Steve

I second Chris' theory / disclaimer of certainty...but the logic is spot on. There are barorecptors (pressure guages, if you like) in the NORMAL heart and arteries that sense changes in blood pressure. Low pressure results in a compensatory increase in pulse rate, high pressure results in decrease...at least that's how stuff works in a healthy teenager. Despite all of its complexity, at a high level, your circulatory system is just a system of variable volume pipes and a variable speed pump to assure adequate blood flow to brain and other organs under different cir***stances.

Given your doctor's assurances, I'd guess everything's OK.

Bill

 

[hensylee]

New Blood Pressure Guidelines
Classification Systolic
(top number) Diastolic
(bottom number)

Normal: 120 or lower AND 80 or lower

Prehypertensive: 120 - 139 OR 80 - 89

High: 140 and higher OR 90 and higher

They came out with new guidelines. There they are.

 

[epstns]

I guess my thoughts aren't that far off the group think. I thought of fluid chemistry, and assumed that if a body needs a given amount of oxygen and nutrients, then a specific volume of blood flow would be required. It would seem logical that at a lower pressure it would take more strokes per minute to accomplish the same volume per minute, thus a slightly higher heart rate. Thanks for the "sanity check."

Hensylee, I also saw the new guidelines, and I think that if my pressure was quickly reduced to those levels I would wilt. I'm relieved to have it dropped to a sane level now, and would like to have my bodily systems become accustomed to this level before trying to go lower. I see the cardio in a few weeks, and will see how he feels about it.

Paul - I'm not complaining about the slight rise in rate. As long as I'm able to do the same things, albeit at a *slightly* elevated heart rate, I'm totally satisfied. Doc feels this may buy some more time until VR day, and I'm sure willing to try it out.