Underlying Illnesses Or Conditions
If your GP suspects that a disorder – such as a heart condition, adrenal gland failure or a nerve condition – is causing your low blood pressure, you may be referred to hospital for further tests and treatment.
If adrenal gland failure is found to be causing your low blood pressure, your GP may prescribe fludrocortisone to replace the missing hormone, aldosterone. This will usually be in tablet form and will need to be taken for life.
If a nerve condition is causing your low blood pressure, it can be more difficult to treat. You may be prescribed medication in order to help stimulate your nervous system.
What Is The Safest Way To Lower Blood Pressure
Doctors often define low blood pressure as 90/60 mm Hg or below, also known colloquially as “90 over 60.” Doctors often only treat hypotension when it is severe enough to create symptoms. Low blood pressure can be an acute or chronic disease. Treating hypotension when it is chronic will not cure low blood pressure but can prevent further damage to the kidneys and other organs.
The most effective way to reduce blood pressure is with medication. Exercise may help but does not replace medicine. If you already take any medications for high blood pressure, your doctor will probably recommend changing to a less intense exercise program before starting training for a marathon or similar event. However, people who have never taken any medications for their condition can run without risking adverse effects from the drug regimen.
What is the safest way to lower blood pressure? Many people believe that exercising too hard during a workout or running fast on the treadmill will raise blood pressure. But this is not true in fact, these activities can have the opposite effect and lower blood pressure. The reason is that the body needs stress to keep blood pressure stable. If you avoid stressful situations in your life, such as not running when you feel like it can cause hypertension, then you do not need to worry about raising blood pressure through exercise.
The best way to lower blood pressure is with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
What Is Pediatric Low Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 130/80.
- The top number, or systolic pressure, is a measurement of the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle contracts.
- The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, is a measurement of the pressure in the arteries between beats of the heart.
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, happens when your childs blood pressure falls below the normal range. A drop in blood pressure is not always a cause for concern, and the severity of the situation depends on the cause.
Don’t Miss: How Serious Is Pulmonary Hypertension
Falls And Related Injuries
A sudden drop in blood pressure may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or even lose consciousness . These symptoms can come on quickly, causing falls or other injuries.
Falls are a major cause of hospitalization for older adults. Older adults are more likely to experience hypotension after standing up or eating. Treatment and lifestyle changes can help you manage hypotension symptoms.
Low Blood Pressure When You Stand Up
Sometimes, 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. Its caused by changes to your arteries which happen as you get older and if youre 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.
You May Like: What Numbers Are Considered High Blood Pressure
Low Vitamin B12 Levels Can Cause Dizziness
Deficiencies in this essential vitamin may lead to a number of neurological problems, including feeling off-balance, and having low blood pressure and decreased blood flow to your brain, says Whitman. Vitamin B12 deficiency is easy to detect and treat, but is an often overlooked cause of dizziness, he notes.
Ask your doctor about having a simple blood test to check your B12 levels if you’re having dizzy spells. Good sources of vitamin B12 include meat, dairy products, and fortified breakfast cereals.
What Is Low Diastolic Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure is the force inside your blood vessels when your heart beats and relaxes. This force is measured in millimeters of mercury and is represented as two numbers.
The upper number, called your systolic pressure, is measured when your heart beats. The lower number, called your diastolic pressure, is measured when your heart relaxes between beats.
High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease or stroke, but low blood pressure can also be a problem.
The medical term for low blood pressure is hypotension. If you have hypotension, your systolic pressure measurement is under 90 mm Hg and your diastolic number is under 60 mm Hg. Doctors have started to raise concerns specifically about diastolic blood pressure below 60.
Some people can have low diastolic pressure even when their systolic pressure is typical. This condition is called isolated diastolic hypotension. Low diastolic blood pressure may be particularly dangerous for your heart.
Unlike the rest of your body, which receives blood when your heart pumps, the muscles of your heart receive blood when your heart relaxes.
If your diastolic blood pressure is too low, your heart muscles wont get enough oxygenated blood. This can lead to weakening of your heart, a condition called diastolic heart failure.
You may be at higher risk of this type of heart failure if you have coronary heart disease, which is narrowing of your heart arteries.
Recommended Reading: What Can High Blood Pressure Do To You
What To Do If You Have Hypertension Stage Two
The prognosis for your future health hinges upon adequate treatment. For hypertension stage two, the treatment plan will likely involve three components: monitoring, modification, and medications.
Its critical to carefully and regularly monitor blood pressure at home following a hypertension stage two diagnosis. Accurate, consistent readings are needed to determine if treatment measures are effective and determine if blood pressure is either stabilizing or progressing toward the hypertensive crisis stage.
It will also be important for anyone diagnosed with stage two hypertension to have certain tests to look for and monitor any systemic damage to specific organs. Primary care physicians can use a simple blood test to check kidney function, and an EKG and X-rays can check the hearts anatomy and function. Dont forget to visit the ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam.
Hypertension stage two places individuals at a significantly increased risk of having and developing cardiovascular disease. While lifestyle changes are prevention measures for those with normal blood pressure and a focal point of treating stage one hypertension when cardiovascular disease is a low risk, lifestyle changes are typically only a part of a larger treatment plan in cases of hypertension stage two.
- Thiazide diuretics
You May Like: Is Garlic Good For Blood Pressure
What Is Low Blood Pressure/hypotension
Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition where the systolic and diastolic pressure falls below 90 and 60 respectively. Blood pressure is usually measured in millimetres of mercury, and normal blood pressure is usually slightly less than 120/80 mm Hg.
To have low blood pressure is not always a concern however, chronic hypotension can cause a lack of blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness, blackouts or loss of consciousness, and may even be life-threatening in severe cases.
More often, low blood pressure is a symptom of a different concern, such as plaque build-up, a heart disorder or aging related medical conditions, making it necessary to pay attention to signs of low blood pressure in its initial stages.
Read Also: What Happens When You Have High Blood Pressure
Don’t Miss: How Do You Bring Blood Pressure Up
Is Low Blood Pressure A Problem
For some people, low blood pressure is a sign of good health. These are generally people who are very fit and who have a slow pulse. For other people, low blood pressure is a problem.
Often, people with low blood pressure can be expected to lead longer lives.
However, people who experience continuing symptoms of low blood pressure should see a doctor. Sudden, severe low blood pressure can be associated with serious medical conditions.
Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure In Women
High blood pressure doesnt always cause symptoms. In fact, its sometimes referred to as a silent condition because most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms at all.
Often, symptoms dont appear at all until someone has had high blood pressure for years and the condition has become severe, but even people with severe high blood pressure might have no symptoms at all.
When symptoms do occur, they look the same in everyone and might include:
But these symptoms only occur once elevated blood pressure has caused the damaged blood vessels to break. The only real sign of high blood pressure is getting consistently high blood pressure readings. Thats why its important to have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does Salt Raise Blood Pressure
How Is Low Blood Pressure Diagnosed
Like high blood pressure, low blood pressure can be diagnosed easily with a .
If you feel dizzy or faint when you stand up, you might need to have your blood pressure measured when youre 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 youre 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 Normal Blood Pressure
A normal blood pressure reading indicates that the heart and blood vessels are not working too hard pushing blood and that the blood is not exerting too much pressure on the walls of the vessels, says Aseem Desai, M.D., a cardiologist at Providence Mission Hospital in Southern California. Recent data from the American Heart Association suggests the optimal normal reading for adults over 20 is lower than 120/80 mmHgVirani S, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics – 2021 update . American Heart Association Journal. 2021 143:e254-e743. .
Dr. Desai notes blood pressure can vary depending on a persons age, gender, race and ethnicity, but it should still fall within the general normal range. While numbers lower than 120/80 are generally considered normal, Dr. Desai adds, The target blood pressure for treatment varies depending on age and associated co-morbidities .
You May Like: Does Drinking Water Help Lower Blood Pressure
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure
The symptoms of low blood pressure may include:
- light-headedness
These symptoms can occur when doing nothing. They are more likely to occur when changing position, such as standing up or when straining on the toilet.
However, often there are no symptoms and low blood pressure is often only identified as a result of a routine medical examination or during the course of an investigation for some other condition or underling illness.
Low blood pressure may be more serious in elderly people who may have an underlying illness or who may be at risk of a fall.
Check your symptoms with healthdirects Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.
You May Like: What The Normal Blood Pressure
What Is The Ideal Blood Pressure For A 60 Year Old Male
What is the normal blood pressure for a 60 year old male. A blood pressure of 120/80 mm of mercury is considered normal for young adults, but the normal blood pressure for a 60 year-old man may be 140/90 and does require lifestyle changes without any active treatment for blood pressure in clinical medicine.
Recommended Reading: How To Understand Blood Pressure
Why Choose Hirslanden
The specialists at Hirslanden, the largest private hospital group in Switzerland, are renowned for their expertise and many years of experience in treating your illness.
You can expect comfortable rooms and a modern infrastructure as well as the highest standards in medicine and care.
We will help you throughout your entire stay, organising additional services such as translators and interpreters, transport, and overnight hotel stays for you and your relatives, and addressing all your administrative questions.
A personal contact from the Hirslanden International team will take care of your needs from the time that you first contact us to arrange an appointment through to the end of your treatment.
Contact us we are happy to help you!
Can We Control It
Low blood pressure is usually not too concerning unless it drops dangerously low and causes symptoms. Managing any diseases that affect blood pressure may aid in preventing it from falling too low.
People on blood pressure medications, for example, should monitor their dosage and blood pressure to ensure that their readings do not go too low.
They should visit a doctor if their blood pressure begins to fall lower than usual. The doctor may want to change the prescription or check for any interactions with other medications that the patient is taking.
Managing other individual risk factors associated with underlying disorders may also benefit in the prevention of low blood pressure.
Read Also: Is It Safe To Take Collagen With High Blood Pressure
What Is Dangerously Low Blood Pressure For The Elderly
For most people with mild-to-moderate hypertension, a blood pressure between 100 and 140/70 and 75 are considered normal. When blood pressure drops below these levels, however, it can lead to serious health problems.
The risk of developing dementia increases with age. As the brain ages, it becomes more susceptible to vascular injury, which can lead to cognitive decline. Studies have shown that patients who experience a stroke have twice the risk of developing dementia compared with those who do not experience a stroke. This may be because the stroke caused brain damage that led to further cognitive decline.
High blood pressure is one of the most important factors in predicting future dementia development. A study conducted at Rush University Medical Center found that patients who had a history of hypertension but were taking medications to control it had only a 50% increased risk of developing dementia compared with individuals who did not have high blood pressure. However, patients who were not taking any type of medication for their high blood pressure had their risk of developing dementia increase by 200%. This shows that having hypertension is only half of the story what’s more important is how well you manage your blood pressure on medications or naturally with lifestyle changes.
About Article Author
Normal Blood Pressure For Children
Normal BP ranges vary in children by age. The University of Iowa Stead Family Childrens Hospital provides this blood pressure chart:
| Normal Blood Pressure for Children | |
|---|---|
| Systolic | |
| 112128 mm Hg | 6680 mm Hg |
What is considered healthy for your child also varies by height, age, and sex. You can use Baylor College of Medicine’s calculator to see if your childs blood pressure reading is in a healthy range.
Also Check: What Do I Do If My Blood Pressure Is Low
How To Prepare For An Upcoming Doctors Appointment For Hypothyroidism
Keep a journal that details your symptoms and their severity. Bring your notes to your appointment to share with your doctor. This can help the doctor detect patterns in your hypothyroid symptoms and get a better idea which screenings you may need for a proper diagnosis.
Bring a list of the vitamins, herbal supplements, and prescription or over-the-counter medications you currently take. These items may interact with your treatment regimen, so your doctor should know about them.
Make a list that details your personal health history, including major surgeries. Include family members and relatives who have had thyroid or autoimmune diseases.
Ask the office ahead of time if you need to fast for your blood work. This means that you cant eat or drink after midnight the day of your appointment, with the exception of water.
Make a list of questions you want to ask your doctor. That way, you wont forget anything during your appointment.
What You Should Know About A Blood Pressure Of 100/60
Low blood pressure rarely causes any severe symptoms, but some patients experience debilitating side effects. The recommended blood pressure reading for healthy adults is 90 over 60 mm Hg . Your blood pressure of 100/60 is below the recommended range and considered low blood pressure. Fainting episodes and dizzy spells are two common symptoms associated with dangerously low blood pressure or BP. This condition is known as hypotension and can have life-threatening consequences if left unchecked. Several health-related conditions and life events can cause BP levels to drop. In some cases, an underlying medical condition, surgical disorders, or dehydration might be responsible.
Don’t Miss: What Most Directly Causes Hypertension
What Medications/treatments Are Used
Treating hypotension directly usually happens in one of three ways:
- Increasing blood volume. This method, also known as fluid resuscitation, involves infusing fluids into your blood. Examples of this include intravenous fluids, plasma or blood transfusions.
- Making blood vessels constrict. Just as there are medications that lower your blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels in your body, there are also medications that have the opposite effect.
- Change how your body handles fluids. Your kidneys are responsible for maintaining the fluid balance in your body. Certain medications can make your kidneys keep fluid and salt in your body, which can help with low blood pressure.
Complications/side effects of the treatment
The complications of either treatment depend on the exact medication or treatment you receive. Your healthcare provider can best explain the possible complications or side effects. Thats because they can consider your specific circumstances, including other health conditions, medications you take and more.