My post about my run today was going to be a very different post about how I ran a new personal best in terms of distance and about how honored I am to share the path I run with people who are out there obviously battling to get their mobility back with walking sticks, walkers and the like.
But the nature of my post changed when I got home from my run. I was feeling ok, I drank water immediately after the run and started thinking about some lunch. After a warm (not hot) shower, I went downstairs to fix it. It was then, about 40 minutes after getting home, that I started to feel light-headed and nauseous. I put my head down, but it only seemed to get worse.
I sat down and felt like I was going to throw up and have diarrhea all at the same time. Fred grabbed our BP machine and I checked my BP and heart rate. Normal for me is about 105/70... It had dropped to 75/45. My resting heart rate is usually 60-65 and it had dropped to the low 40's. I was scared by those numbers, still very dizzy, trying to get a breath....so Fred called an ambulance. While waiting for them, I drank some OJ.
When they arrived, they started me on oxygen, and started asking me a lot of questions. They wanted to make sure I wasn't at risk of Ebola. I'm not.
Once the oxygen kicked in, I started to feel better. The dizziness passed, as did the desire to throw up and have diarrhea. They rechecked my BP and HR and both had returned to their usual levels. I didn't go to the ER.
The whole episode reminded me of a computer terminal that shuts down and reboots. I'm fine now and realize I must have been dehydrated. I also ate very few carbs yesterday. Poor Fred was very concerned!
Lisa: "I understand what caused this, and how to prevent it happening in the future"
Fred: "Yes, no more running!"
I think no more running would be an over reaction to this event, but I will make sure I hydrate better and have more carbs the day before a long run.
By the way, I'm super proud to have run a new personal best distance (9.3 miles) and I'm super grateful to share the road with people who are working so hard to stay healthy. Now I can add to my gratitude my sweet hubby who came to my aid, and the caring and vigilant members of our local ambulance service.
Yikes! Lots of valuable lessons learned this day! So glad you were ok and you had your man at your side, such an awesome one at that! hugs Sandi
ReplyDeleteScary!!! Like you - lots to learn on the Fit, Healthy, Balance journey - trial and error and 'bumps on the road' - all worth it! I think in kms - you almost hit 15 kms - an awesome achievement! and I know you will be well prepared for the next one :) Sylvia
ReplyDeleteSo, what caused the drop in blood pressure?
ReplyDeletePeace ~ Bear
I think it was a combination of dehydration and an incident called vasovagal syncope. I looked up symptoms of low blood sugar and low sodium and I think I can rule those out. In distance running, your blood vessels open right up to allow maximum blood flow and your heart, along with your leg muscles keep your brain oxygenated. But if you stop running suddently, or in my case, stop and have a warm shower which keeps blood vessels a little dilated, then blood can pool in your legs. If you already have a low blood pressure and heart rate, like I do, then this can be a combination that serves to lower it to symptom producing levels. So I need to spend a bit more time cooling down, maybe a walk after a run and also hold back on jumping in a hot shower. If I start to get symptoms again, I need to lay down and elevate my legs. I've also added some electrolytes and sugar to my pre-run hydration, just to be on the safe side. Thanks for asking Bear!
DeleteThat sometimes happens to me if I stand too quickly after laying down all night. Glad it is nothing serious and has an easy fix.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're ok! I usually walk another mile after a run to help cool down and then wait another 20-30 minutes before showering just to make sure I'm completely cooled down. Hope that helps! Stay safe!
ReplyDelete