Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is when you have a blood pressure level that is below the normal range.If your blood pressure is naturally low, this probably won’t cause you any problems and won’t need treating. In fact, the lower your blood pressure, the lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Show
Low blood pressure can sometimes be caused by medications or can be a sign of another health problem. This can sometimes cause problems such as falls, fainting and feeling dizzy, so it might need looking into and treating. Speak to your doctor or nurse if you’re worried about low blood pressure. Plus, take a look at the animation below on how to manage low blood pressure when you stand up. What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?Low blood pressure often has no symptoms, but can sometimes mean that not enough blood is flowing to your brain or organs. This can cause symptoms such as:
If you have these symptoms, stop what you’re doing and sit down or lie down in case you fall, and drink some water. Speak to your doctor or nurse if you experience these symptoms. As well as being unpleasant, they could mean you’re at risk of having a fall. They could also be a sign of another health problem. Low blood pressure when you stand upSometimes, changes in your posture can cause your blood pressure to drop, for example, going from sitting or lying down to standing up. You might feel the symptoms listed above when you stand up, such as feeling dizzy or faint. They will pass quickly as your body adjusts, but can put you at risk of falls. This is called postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension. It’s caused by changes to your arteries which happen as you get older and if you’re taking medications to lower your blood pressure. The animation below provides information on the causes, symptoms and potential interventions related to orthostatic hypotension. This film was produced by Newcastle University for work completed by Dr James Frith, supported by the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre. What causes low blood pressure?Some people have a blood pressure level that is naturally low. That is, there is no specific cause or reason why. It can be the result of a healthy lifestyle and being fit and active, and your genes may play a role. Your blood pressure varies throughout the day. It might drop when you’ve just eaten while your blood is carried to your gut, if you’ve been standing up for a long time, if you’re dehydrated, and if the temperature is warm. There are a number of other possible causes of low blood pressure: Medications Health problems
How is low blood pressure diagnosed?
If you feel dizzy or faint when you stand up, you might need to have your blood pressure measured when you’re lying down and again while you are standing up. You might be offered a tilt table test. This is where you lie on a table that starts in a horizontal position, then slowly tilts so that you’re in an almost upright position – as if you were standing. You will have your blood pressure and pulse monitored, and any symptoms you feel will be recorded. You might also have a blood test to check the levels of certain hormones. What is a low blood pressure reading?A blood pressure reading below 90/60mmHg is considered low blood pressure. Only one of the numbers needs to be at this level or lower to count as low blood pressure. Read more about what the numbers mean. How is low blood pressure treated?If your blood pressure is naturally low and isn’t causing you any problems it probably won’t need any treatment. If you have symptoms and your doctor or nurse feels that you would benefit from treatment, they will try to find the cause of your low blood pressure so that they can find the best way to treat it. The treatments will vary depending on the cause.
What can I do for myself?There are other things you can do for yourself to help with your symptoms.
Read more What is a dangerously low blood pressure?What is hypotension? Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure (lower than 90/60 mm Hg). If your blood pressure gets too low, it can cause dizziness, fainting or death. Low blood pressure is not a condition that is usually treated except if it occurs in the elderly or occurs suddenly.
What is the lowest blood pressure you should have?An ideal blood pressure is usually lower than 120/80 mm Hg .
What is the lowest blood pressure you can live with?While it is considered normal when it is less than 140/90mmHg (ideal blood pressure is 120/80mmHg), a blood pressure of 90/60mmHg or less is considered the lowest blood pressure before death. But is low blood pressure bad?
What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?Symptoms of low blood pressure. lightheadedness or dizziness.. feeling sick.. blurred vision.. generally feeling weak.. confusion.. fainting.. |