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What Causes Low Heart Rate And Extreme Lethargy In Elderly?
Question: My mother is 103 and recently had a bout of extreme lethargy. It lasted about 7 hours Her heart is good and she takes no medications for heart. She has diabetes and takes no medication. Keeps it under control w/diet. At times during this bout she could not stay awake and had a hard time being woken. Her blood pressure dropped to 60 over 32. What could be the causes?
Brief Answer:
dehydration, autonomic neuropathy, blood distribtn
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Bed rest due to lethargy leading to distribution of blood, leading to reduced cardiac out and low heart rate, which could have affected the blood pressure. Low nutrition could have led to lethargy.
2. Reduced fluid intake could have contributed to dehydration and hence low blood pressure.
3. Diabetes induced autonomic neuropathy leading onto vaso dilatation and hence peripheral pooling of blood, could have led on to low blood pressure.
Maintaining adequate hydration and being moderately active could be helpful.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
dehydration, autonomic neuropathy, blood distribtn
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Bed rest due to lethargy leading to distribution of blood, leading to reduced cardiac out and low heart rate, which could have affected the blood pressure. Low nutrition could have led to lethargy.
2. Reduced fluid intake could have contributed to dehydration and hence low blood pressure.
3. Diabetes induced autonomic neuropathy leading onto vaso dilatation and hence peripheral pooling of blood, could have led on to low blood pressure.
Maintaining adequate hydration and being moderately active could be helpful.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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