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Just trying to get everything figured out with my aunt who went to the ER last week from the NH with super high blood sugars. She was sent back to the NH over the weekend, but now we are getting calls from the nurses that they are worried about her blood pressure. We have a meeting on Monday with the nursing coordinator. Just want to make sure we ask the right questions. We know she’s old and things just stop working, but lately it seems like every day it’s another issue. TIA

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That's how it usually happens when someone is really old, things change quickly.

Low blood pressure is dangerous. It is something that should be addressed and they should rule out causes.

Good luck with the nurse coordinator and getting Auntie the right care.
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There are several reasons for low blood pressure. I took my mom to the ER because she said that she wasn’t feeling ‘right.’ She couldn’t explain exactly what she was experiencing but she said that she wasn’t feeling the way she normally felt.

The ER doctor told me that her pressure was very low. Mom had Parkinson’s disease and she said that it wasn’t uncommon for people with Parkinson’s disease to experience low blood pressure.

If pressure becomes dangerously low a person can die. I’m sure the doctors will keep an eye on your aunt’s pressure and do whatever is necessary to raise her pressure.

My mom at one time had high blood pressure and was on meds. They took her off of her blood pressure medication.

Best wishes to you and your aunt.
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I know low blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting, and falling! High blood pressure can cause strokes. My mom has high blood pressure, and is a fall risk due to severe osteoporosis and curved spine. She is taking medication for the BP. Her doctor monitors her BP, keeping it at a slightly elevated level, to avoid it getting too low. Never simple.
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It depends how low, for how long, and how often. Everyone told me my mom was entering the dying phase because her blood pressure would routinely drop as low as 90/20 (and lower), it turned out that the BP medication she had been on for decades was one of the reasons and nobody ever though to adjust it. I'm convinced those weeks of dangerously low BP contributed to her cognitive decline.
BTW, she lived the better part of another decade after that.
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High blood pressure can lead to a multitude of problems from strokes to TIAs to kidney failure. Low blood pressure usually results in a collapse and fall, which of course can lead to other problems. Some folks have what is called labile blood pressure meaning up and down and all over the place, something I can get so I measure twice daily, take medications dependent on my readings. The important thing is do at home measurement as measurements in hospital and offices is usually higher. Take medication dependent on THOSE readings and you may have dizziness, poor balance and/or fall and collapse.
So it isn't a matter of which is worse but more a matter of trying to keep it in a good range and somewhat stablized. Sure wish you good luck.
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Very low BP indicates a weakened heart, or dehydration. Other than hydration, there's not too much that can be done for it. You might want to consider a higher sodium diet.
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My dads BP dropped low several years ago at the age of 97. The doctor took him off of the BP medicine. After that he only took a fluid pill if his BP top number was above 125. My dad lived another 2 years and just died recently at 99 and 6 weeks. If his BP was low in the mornings it generally came up after breakfast. So have the doctor check her medications. It may be time to come off any BP meds.
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Low blood pressure or hypotension is a serious condition in that it causes dizziness which can result in fainting. However, high blood pressure or hypertension is a much more serious condition than low blood pressure and medications must be taken in order to control high blood pressure. I used to have hypotension and I suffered from dizziness. I was told by my doctor to increase my salt intake, which I did, and which has normalized my blood pressure. Your aunt’s doctor will monitor her blood pressure and you will get instructions on how to handle her blood pressure problem.
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High blood pressure comes from the surge of blood the heart puts out with each beat not being able to get through the system as easily as it should so there is higher pressure on the arteries. Therefore it can cause stroke (pieces of plaque, we all have it, breaking off and lodging in the brain) or heart attack (pieces lodging in the heart or pressure backing up in the heart). Low blood pressure is the opposite, not enough pressure in the arteries which can be caused by dehydration, blood loss somewhere or the heart not pumping hard enough to circulate the blood properly. This is an over simplified explanation and there are of course many ailments in between cause and effect. The point is that either of these can be solved simply, fill the body with fluids or take fluids out for instance or be very concerning. They each can cause death, especially in the elderly which is why it’s a good thing they are taking it seriously. When they give you an update and diagnosis be sure to ask whatever questions you need to fully understand what is going on. Understand what is causing her BP to be low or high, if her high blood sugar could be connected and what the plan is to fix it or not and why. Try to take care of yourself now too, calm yourself as much as possible this is often a marathon not a sprint and you need to be able to receive the info you get. A notebook and notes is a good idea to, record the doctor or nurses names and what they told you so you can refer back. Hang in there!
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My mom was sent from her nursing home to the hospital for low blood pressure and very high blood sugar. She died about a month later.

Low blood pressure in a younger person who is healthy and fit, is not considered a bad thing. But, in an elderly person with comorbidities, it can signal a big problem.

And of course, high blood pressure is deadly due to the amount of pressure placed on the heart and blood vessels.
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My mother suffered high blood pressure.
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Low blood pressure can be concerning because organs may not be getting all the blood they need to function well. This is especially true of the brain.
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If her blood pressure is seriously low, you should tell NH to call the doctor or send her to the ER. There's nothing you can do to change her medical problems and they have doctors. It's great they keep you in the loop, but when they call turn it around on them and ask - have you called the doctor yet? No? Well, call doctor and let me know what he says.

If they are worried enough to call you, why are they waiting until Monday to talk to coordinator? Often, you'll find signs are there worth checking out, but staff fail to have a doctor see the person. If she has been laying down more than usual, it is possible her BP is lower than what it common for her. Drinking water can raise the pressure. Also sitting up more or moving around once she sits up and the light headed feeling goes away.
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Maine127: My late mother's plummeting blood pressure was the reason that I had to leave my home, my state and my family to move in with and provide care for her in her home seven states away from my own. Her blood pressure ran so low that she was about to pass out. I used a friend, who was an LPN and worked pro bono for me until I could arrive there.
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Both low and elevated blood pressures can cause problems in the elderly. It’s probably a good time to make sure that your Aunt has advanced directives. Does she want everything done in every situations. These are important questions as she continues to age. How aggressive does she want changes in her health. Does she always need to be transferred to the ER? Is she aware of these changes? These are all difficult questions but can help set up guidelines for her care.
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Also talk to your aunt's primary care physician about these health issues. Low blood pressure can cause dizzyness, fainting and falls. Make sure she is being properly hydrated. All the best to you.
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Sounds like she is just wearing out, which happens if we live long enough. Just wait till you’re there!
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