Low blood pressure while on chemo

Hello Lu,  

Thank you for contacting Macmillan. My name is Helen; I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.  

I was sorry to read that your friend is experiencing low blood pressure while undergoing chemotherapy.  

It's tricky to advise on a medical issue because as a charity we don’t have access to NHS clinical records. Understanding what the cause might be would help me give more detailed advice, but I hope the following might help.  

Some chemotherapy agents cause a drop in blood pressure, and her chemotherapy team would be best placed to discuss if this is a medical concern requiring the dose or the length of time the chemotherapy is delivered to be amended.  

Sometimes being dehydrated can cause a dip in someone’s blood pressure, so keeping well hydrated throughout the treatment will help, as well as assist the kidneys and liver to get rid of the toxins.  

Chemotherapy will often cause temporary damage to the blood cells including the red blood cells. This is called anaemia. When someone is anaemic, not only do they feel tired but they may suffer with dizziness and low blood pressure.  

Each time your friend has chemotherapy she will have had her red cells checked, and if the level is reasonable, she will have her next cycle of chemotherapy. But over time the level can drop. This may also be another possible cause of her low blood pressure.  

Keeping well-nourished as well as hydrated is important. Eating iron-rich food and a generally well-balanced diet is helpful although often it is difficult to eat well if she feels sick, and food tastes unappetising. Here are some helpful videos about eating well when we don't feel like it.  

Lastly, a drop in blood pressure can be helped by simply taking time to get up – either from a lying or a sitting position. This is called postural hypotension and is simply due to a rapid change in position. Simply taking time to get upright, is a helpful strategy.  

I do hope this information is helpful. Your friend is very welcome to call our support line if she is worried, and you are equally welcome to call to chat with us about ways you can continue to support her, Lu.  

Sending best wishes,   

Helen 

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist  

You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.  

Ref:  HM/PL