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What Causes Low BP Inspite Of Being On A Weight Reduction Program?

Posted on Thu, 7 May 2015

Question: Hi, My wife is undergoing a weight reduction program since last 8 months. As part of this process she has reduced her weight from upper 80's to 70kg mark by changing her diet plan. We also notice that her BP also has gone down from 120/80 mark to 100/60 mark with the current weight. She is 34 years old and doesn't have any health issues. I want to know whether the reduction in the BP is a normal event with reduction in weight or is it something that requires follow-up with a physician. Look forward to your response.

Answered by Dr. CS Narayan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Requires a physician's consultation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX and thanks for your query.

I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.

There could be some common reasons initially for the BP reduction in a middle aged lady. The change in weight due to the dietary plans being the most obvious reason for your wife in this case. Yes, change in diet will be an important cause for fluctuations in BP. I must assume a lot of essential electrolyte loss like Sodium, Chloride etc occurring during her changed dietary plans as being the likely cause of her current low BP reading. Apart from this, other common reasons may include some nutritional deficiencies too like Iron deficiency anemia, Vitamin B12 deficiency in some cases.

Good that, she does not have any other medical ailments. But, you must know being a lady with that lower BP values can be taxing and she may experience giddiness and weakness any time. Take care of her otherwise, and get examined by a physician. Might need some general blood tests to rule out any nutritional deficiencies if any, and to provide the right management.

While it is acceptable that weight loss has indeed taken place with that dietary regimen - but more importantly it should not create newer problems like this. Would advise to follow weight control programs only with a qualified nutritionist's advise and not with any instruments.

Let me know if I have missed out any other concern in your question.

Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.

Sincerely,

Dr Sujeet N Charugulla,
MBBS, MD.
Consultant Physician.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. CS Narayan (33 minutes later)

Dr. XXXXXXX

Thanks a lot for the quick reply and advice. We are indeed consulting with a qualified nutritionist in XXXXXXX She has given my wife vitamin B12 shots as well. We took 4 shots in the initial 4 weeks (one shot per week) followed by 1 shot every 2 weeks (for 4 times). Nevertheless I will check with a physician.

I wanted to ask one more question - when does a low BP condition becomes critical (ie, which requires immediate healthcare attention). For e.g, what is the lowest sys/dia numbers which is safe and what are the symptoms which require immediate healthcare attention?

Look forward to your reply.

Thanks,
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. CS Narayan (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anything lower than 90/60 mandates consultation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr XXXXX,

Thanks for the followup.

Anything below 90/60 reading will be called hypotension and the critical nature will depend on symptoms one experiences rather than the reading itself. For instance, occasional dizziness may not be critical, but regular episodes of same will be as much as others like Fainting, Lack of concentration, Blurred vision, Nausea, Thirst etc.

Immediate attention will be needed on the basis of health condition and background of the patient and not the numbers of the BP reading alone.

Let me know of further concerns if any.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E