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abnormal EKG

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Posted 1/10/2007 6:21 PM (GMT -8)
Hi guys,

I can usually be found in the lupus forum but wanted to pop in here and get some opinions. I am 35 dx with Lupus last year. I have low BP (usually 98/68) & high pulse (100). In the past I've had episodes where I almost passed out and started having chest pains about 6 months ago. I went to the doctor yesterday, they had a hard time reading my BP, they could only get the top number which was 88. They ran an EKG and it came back abnormal, sent me for a chest x-ray and labs (CBC) which both came back normal so the next step is a nuclear stress test next Friday. The doctor thinks it could be pleursey (sp?) and also mentioned heart disease, she feels it's lupus related and wants to cover all the basis.

Now I am scared that I may have heart disease and worried that there is nothing I can do to stop it or help it. I'm not overweight, I don't smoke nor do I drink alcohol heck I don't even drink caffeine nono . I would appreciate any insight you can give me. Thank you for your time ~ take care
Posted 1/10/2007 6:41 PM (GMT -8)
What is your cholesterol? I have several arrythmias, but always had a clear coronary artery until November 2006. I was then diagnosed w/coronary artery disease & had angio/stent on 12-13-06. I ate right, exercised, etc., but family hx played the major factor. They caught my CAD early & I only had to have one stent (plaque only in rt coronary artery). Don't worry ... keep a positive outlook! By having the stress test, they'll figure out what's wrong & then will be able to provide the tx you need to make you back to yourself. Good luck!
Posted 1/11/2007 11:02 AM (GMT -8)
HI Stacie....I have low blood pressure and high pulse also! Usually, my bloodpressure is 110/70 or sometimes the top number is lower. And my pulse is usually 100 to 124. I hate it. I've never passed out before but came close. Keep in mind that your anxiety and stress alone can affect blood pressure and pulse. I've learned that anxiety will cause your blood pressure (depending on your body) to go high or really low and pulse go high. I will be perfectly fine then I get in the doctors office and I know there about to take my pulse. Since i know they always say its high I start getting nervous about what my pulse will be. That alone causes it to go up. My doctor says she sees this in a lot of patients. As far as the blood pressure, although its low, that might be normal for you. Like me, and women who are smaller or active, low blood pressure is normal for them. As far as the ekg being abnormal, did they say exactly what was picked up. Lets see what the say about the stress test.
Ok so about heart disease. Don't worry to much. It doesn't sound like you have it based on this info. Heart disease could be a number of things you know. It sounds like you try your best to take care of yourself and I'm sure if it were congenital heart disease they would have picked it up a long time ago. Your chest xray is normal..thats great too. Please stop stressing I know its hard but try to relax. Like I said, stress/anxiety can do a number of things. They even say stress is a cause of heart disease, BREATH..RELAX and keep me updated. Im thinking of you...
Posted 1/11/2007 2:54 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you both for your responses and for sharing your stories with me.

pegleg: It's good to know there are treatment options. I guess my problem is I don't much about heart disease, etc. The last time my cholesterol was checked it was around 200, down from 253. Of course that was a couple of years ago. I am not sure about my family history on my mom's dad side or my dad's side.

neurogurl: As far as I know I've always had low BP, but never as low as 88. The doctor said my EKG dipped in spots where it shouldn't or something like that. She said if I was a healthy 35 yr old she wouldn't worry about it but since I have lupus she says it's abnormal. I know nothing about heart disease, so I guess I'd better get to reading.

I had more chest pains at work today, this one lasted A LOT longer than the others (about 45min-1hr). I may see about moving my stress test up a couple of days instead of waiting til next Friday.

Thank you both again ~ take care
Posted 1/12/2007 3:33 PM (GMT -8)
jhmom....question for you, You have Raynauds? What were your initial symptoms with that
Posted 1/12/2007 5:12 PM (GMT -8)

Hi jhmom, welcome to the heart forum.  I have bradycardia (low heart rate) for this I have a pacemaker, Sick Sinus Syndrom and a septial defect.  I also have extremely low blood pressure due to an autonomic disorder that presented in august 05.  My blood pressures some days get down to 70's/50's (and even lower) and I do pass out when I stand and even sitting up I have hullicunations and such.  My bp's have always been on the low side but not ever this low before.  I have also had MS for over 5 years.  When my heart and bp problems started in 8/05 before my diagnosis of the autonomic disorder my doctors had to take me off of each and every medication that I was on at the time as meds can be a huge factor to these type of problems.  Also, to assess if there were any drug interactions going on too as over time these can develop even with medications that a person has taken for a while. 

I would assume that since you have lupus that you are on some medications?  What I would say is if you dont have a family history of heart disease then your chances are greatly decreased even though you do have a serious illness as this.  In my case I am only 33 by I have an extensive family history of heart disease on both sides as a matter of fact there isnt an adult in our family that hasnt had a heart problem.  Also with your blood pressure being 98/68 that is not a bad blood pressure or even all that low.  Alot of people who are physically fit tend to have BP's in this range and do fine with it.  The chest pain however isnt right.  I would hang tight and see how your stress test turns out.  Anxiety is only going to make chest pains worse.

Please do post again and let us know how it goes... :-)

Posted 1/12/2007 5:51 PM (GMT -8)
My first symptoms of Raynaud's that my doctor noticed were splotches on my legs, cold hands, feet and nose even in the summer time.

Elisha: thank you for your response. Yes I am on a number of meds which are noted in my signature. I am not sure of my family history as I only know my mom's side. I think my dad had some heart problems but not sure what it was and we don't speak so I have no idea. Wait a minute, thinking about it now there may be some history but it would be distant, like great uncles, etc. The reason the doctor mentioned heart disease is not so much my family history but because lupus can cause this. My BP has always been low and I've not been physically fit since I was a teenager, lol but I know what you mean. I think they were also mainly worried because at the appt it got down to 88 and they couldn't get the bottom number.

Thank you all for your support.
Posted 1/19/2007 2:32 PM (GMT -8)
Well, I had the nuclear stress test today, all went well and I should hear something by the end of next week.

The good thing is my doctor was in the room with me while I was on the treadmill (I stayed on for 9 minutes!!), she said there was no change in my EKG and she is thinking it's pluerisy caused by lupus but I will know for sure when the results of the 2 scans come back, that's where they were checking for heart disease, etc. Thank you all again for your kindness.
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