I can't say if poor air quality itself can cause high BP, but it can cause breathing issues. When you went to the ER, what did they say about the high BP? Is it high all the time lately or is it intermittent?

Here's how I'd look at it. If I hadn't had a PE, and my BP was high, I'd still probably go to the doctor to get my GPs thoughts on the matter or if it's something to be concerned about.

Never hurts to get these things checked out, especially if worrying about it is going to keep you awake for the rest of the week.

Also, though, keep in mind that anxiety can cause both elevated HR and SOB. And the more anxious you are about the SOB, BP, and the smog, the higher your HR might go.

Also, I've dealt with the lower BP for sure (had very bad orthostatic hypotension a few months after my PEs). Make sure you're staying really hydrated and that you've got plenty of electrolytes in you to help counter that. Drink a lot of Gatorade, for example, and add some bananas to your diet.

Yeah I agree on the anxiety thing. I don't assume everything is from anxiety, but if your personality type is on the anxious side like mine is, if everything comes back normal after getting checked out, I think it's a reasonable explanation, or at least part of the picture.

Thanks for the input, Toss and rmb :)

I'm not the anxious type (leave that to my mother LOL), but since the PE and since my DH's passing, 5 years ago, I do tend to be more anxious.

However, usually, when I'm anxious, my BP goes up, not down.

As far as what the doctors say about the elevated HR: no problem with my heart. Guess they think it's normal for 56 yo woman to have a resting HR of 130????

I am having a re-scan next week, and will see from there.

Ok I misread. I thought your BP was that high but it's your heart rate. Sorry. Is your heart rate always that high or do you notice it more at certain times? Is it high when you're checking it or when your doc is checking it? Does it go down once you are seen at the ER? To me that would be an indication it's anxiety/stress related. I'm not doctor obviously but I'd assume your doc or the ER would refer you to a Cardiologist if they suspected something sinister.

I can tell you that since my PE, which has been almost 6 years ago, my BP is on the low end of normal, and my HR is on the high side of normal. Apparently that's common that when one is higher, the other is lower, and vice versa. That's what I was told when I was in the hospital.

Thanks, rmb. My HR fluctuates a little, and is, once in a blue moon, almost within normal range. However, for the most part, it's well over 100 and does not seem to go down when I rest of when I'm seen by a doctor. It does go down when I lie down.

I also have LOTS of palpitation and, the time it was staying over 150, they did mention the possibility of A-fib.

I am concerned as cardiac disease is rampant on my dad's side of the family. In fact, he had a heart transplant in 1990, his sister and serveral of his brothers and close cousins (double cousins: 2 sisters married to two brothers and one of the sisters's brother married to grand-pa's sister) had by-pass surgery, pace-makers, etc.

Can you get a second opinion, not in the ER, but with another doc?

8 months after big, bilateral PEs, I noticed irregular tachycardia after very little exercise.

For 3 months there had been no exercise because of a huge clot in my leg. For 3 months after that, only same level walking (no hills, no stairs). Ultrasound indicated that the leg clot had matured. CT showed lung clots and dead tissue was absorbed. Coumadin was discontinued.

Stress test failed at

Danielle you almost sound as if you have afib? Not meaning to worry
you. It could be just the bad air.

Danielle- My husband went through a couple years of having HR issues like yours. He finally was diagnosed with reflux induced asthma and was put on meds for the asthma (daily nebulizer) and for the reflux. Eventually he had his hiatal hernia and stomach valve reconstructed through surgery which cured the reflux and in turn helped with the asthma. Even though he's still on daily nebulizer his HR has lowered dramatically and after 6 mos of eating a vegan diet has returned to normal. It's hard to figure out why HRs go up, but if you ask me, it's definitely a sign that something is wrong. Things to rule out: asthma, allergies to airborne irritants, allergies to food, anxiety, heart/lung issues.

Best wishes on getting this resolved. Let us know what you find out, K?

Thank you all for your comments.

Missd: when I landed in the ER with a humongous bruise after a fall, my HR was steady over 150 and I was asked if I had afib. I also think that this may be the case, especially since I did have major heart issues after my PE.

I am going for a re-scan on Thursday and will then check with my doctor in regards to the possibility of afib.

Hi. I too had massive, bi-lateral PE in August of last year and have slowly been feeling better; that is until this heat wave. Breathing is labored and heart rate is up. So I am just cooling it for now to see how it goes. My PE's have formed permanent scar tissue in my lungs so I konw that I am stuck with them although I am hoping that my body will repair itself some. Before this illness, I was a 47 year old health active man...so slowing down is challenging at best.

Bill