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Since you're a medical specialist, how low of a heart rate is good? 30/40 ok?
Is the low heart rate a physiologic finding or a pathologic finding?
Heart rate of 30/40 is not ok...esp for a 75 year old...yeah maybe an athlete who is in great shape..
DH...almost 80 had surgery two years ago...his rate dropped to 41 in the OR....he felt Ok..but post op his docs lowered his beta blocker a bit...now it is 50-60...BTW...he is very active physically..
I remember years ago as an RN we were trained to take pulse before giving betas..under 60 we had to call the doctor...mine hovers at 60 on a beta..
I agree that maybe we are too afraid of salt, so we can get dehydrated...
Potassium is also important..usually does not affect rate, but sure can affect rhythm..
Lower level of normal is 3.5....I had surgery postponed once when my K level was just over 3...took supplements for a week....actually the normal range is pretty narrow 3.5-5.5
A banana a day USA good idea...as well as all fruits and vegetables
First, we need to determine more specifically what is meant by "passing out."--does he fall suddenly like a tree with risk of hurting himself vs easing on down slowly? Does he recover quickly after assuming a horizontal position? Does he recover completely & quickly or is he confused and gradually returns to normal? Does he feel a need to urinate or defecate after recovery? Does he lose that control while "out?"
How low does his HR & BP go during an episode? What is it when he's asymptomatic? Does rising quickly from bed or a chair bring the condition on? Or tuning his head or looking up?
Over what time span did his "dementia" start & progress? How long has he been on BP meds?
The BP meds may have been properly prescribed originally, but things change over time. He may have enough impairment to cerebral blood flow now that he's older that that original "correct dose" doesn't allow enough blood up to the brain. His passing out and his "dementia" may both improve with backing off the meds a little.....Sometime you need to compromise-- higher bp increases theoretical risk of a stroke, but he is passing out and may break his neck.
"Passing out" is basically either due to a CNS problem (seizure) or to a CV problem not allowing enough blood flow to the brain- lo bp (dehydration, hypovolemia,vasodilatation, autonomic insufficiency, cardiomyopathy/CHF) or ineffective HR (excessively slow or excessively fast) or obstructed blood flow.
And I've thought over the years many are taking meds and don't need them due to initial reading in doc's office, which is just about always white coat.
Mine went to 180/100 from white coat. Then would come down to about 120/80 at the end of my appt. One dr wanted to put me on meds because of initial readings. My Dr told me monitor it at home first. She advised if you get on meds and your blood pressure isn’t normally high, you can pass out.
While I am no doctor this sounds like it could be low blood pressure. Or malnutrition and dehydration. Don't rule these last two out. The body does not process food well as we get older. Malnutrition and dehydration can easily creep in over an extended period of time.
All of above happened with my mother. An at home nurse caught it. Small meals every three hours has helped her immensely. Protein drinks such as Fairlife and Muscle Milk also Ensure were recommend by nurse. Small peanut butter sandwiches, small roast beef sandwiches, small cheese sandwiches, bananas (potassium), hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, fresh fruit smoothie (Vitamix), cookies, frozen fish sticks, etc..
While I am no doctor this sounds like it could be low blood pressure. Or malnutrition and dehydration. Don't rule these last two out. The body does not process food well as we get older. Malnutrition and dehydration can easily creep in over an extended period of time.
All of above happened with my mother. An at home nurse caught it. Small meals every three hours has helped her immensely. Protein drinks such as Fairlife and Muscle Milk also Ensure were recommend by nurse. Small peanut butter sandwiches, small roast beef sandwiches, small cheese sandwiches, bananas (potassium), hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, fresh fruit smoothie (Vitamix), cookies, frozen fish sticks, etc..
Good advice, I'm up in the higher years and I pretty much graze all day and drink water all day...works for me.
These are all excellent replies! Agree with Jam that we/I also pretty much graze all day....I have never been a three meal a day person tho...DH raised in Midwestbcertainly was...his poor Mom must. Have alwabeen in the kitchen!,
We must listen. To our bodies...needs change as we age..
Agree that healthy protein snacks instead of grabbing a cookie..
I have to remind my DH that I always have boost for him...plus Gatorade...yes there is sugar in it...but we need to balance just water we some energy..
And most importantly....yes certain meds may be vital..but dosages need. To be adjusted
Small protein snacks. ..yes..hard boiled eggs, etc..
Keep them in fridge..already boiled..so easy to grab..
If not a cardiologist, I would get him to one immediately.
Way too serious and too much going on (passing out, BP, dementia etc) for any hope of help from an Internet forum.
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