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 .
Lifestyle Changes With Blood Pressure Of 108/60
Your doctor may suggest a few lifestyle modifications for those with a blood pressure of 108/60. This will depend on the severity of your low blood pressure in combination with your other health history.
- Increase Salt IntakeMost of the time doctors want you to limit sodium since it can increase your blood pressure. In this instance, thats just what the doctor ordered!
- Drink More WaterFluids increase blood volume, which can help increase your blood pressure.
- Wear Compression Stockings In more extreme cases your doctor may want you to wear compression stockings that will limit the blood flow to your legs and keep more blood in your upper body.
Remember that what is low blood pressure for one person could be normal for another. Dont get so hung up on the number and instead listen to your body.
My Medical Score performs research to ensure the content is accurate and timely. Our sources include high-quality academic research institutions, medical associations and peer-reviewed studies.
-
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Q What Should You Eat When Experiencing Low Blood Pressure
- Drinking plenty of fluids- hydration is key, and dehydration can severely affect blood volume.
- Drink plenty of water through the day, especially after a workout session.
- Vitamin B12- lack of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia. So, you have to consume foods like eggs, cereals, and beef to avoid a dip in your blood pressure.
- Folate- folate helps keep blood pressure levels at a steady level, and foods like asparagus, liver, and garbanzo beans are rich in folate.
- Salt: Salty foods are known to increase blood pressure, and you can eat food like smoked fish, cottage cheese, canned soup, and olives.
- Caffeine: Caffeinated tea and coffee can spike your blood pressure by stimulating the cardiovascular system and giving your rate a boost.
Also Check: What Is The Normal Systolic Blood Pressure Range
Q How Do I Know If I Have Low Blood Pressure
What Does A Blood Pressure Reading Of 80/60 Mean
Readings at or below 80/60 usually indicate low blood pressure or what is called Hypotension. What this means is the blood pressure in your arteries is lower than what is considered normal.
However, theres usually no need to be concerned about low blood pressure unless youre experiencing dizziness, fainting, nausea or fatigue. Hypotension may not even be diagnosed unless youre experiencing these symptoms.
You May Like: What’s Too Low For Blood Pressure
How To Check Your Blood Pressure
Monitoring your blood pressure regularly is the only way to detect any changes and identify whether youre at risk of developing hypertension.
Even if your blood pressure is within normal parameters, you should get it checked at least once per year.
However, if you already suffer from hypertension or have some pre-existing diagnosis that would put you at higher risk, you should make a habit of checking your blood pressure at least daily until under control and monitor it.
Checking your blood pressure isnt all that complicated or difficult.
You can always make an appointment with your doctor, or you could decide to monitor your levels by yourself.
If you already have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, then home blood pressure monitoring might be a more convenient option for you.
When To Contact A Medical Professional
If low blood pressure causes a person to pass out , seek treatment right away. Or call 911 or the local emergency number. If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR.
- Black or maroon stools
Hypotension Blood pressure – low Postprandial hypotension Orthostatic hypotension Neurally mediated hypotension NMH
Also Check: How Does Cardiac Output Affect Blood Pressure
Lifestyle Changes With Blood Pressure Of 80/60
Your doctor may suggest a few lifestyle modifications for those with a blood pressure of 80/60. This will depend on the severity of your low blood pressure in combination with your other health history.
- Increase Salt IntakeMost of the time doctors want you to limit sodium since it can increase your blood pressure. In this instance, thats just what the doctor ordered!
- Drink More WaterFluids increase blood volume, which can help increase your blood pressure.
- Wear Compression Stockings In more extreme cases your doctor may want you to wear compression stockings that will limit the blood flow to your legs and keep more blood in your upper body.
Remember that what is low blood pressure for one person could be normal for another. Dont get so hung up on the number and instead listen to your body.
My Medical Score performs research to ensure the content is accurate and timely. Our sources include high-quality academic research institutions, medical associations and peer-reviewed studies.
-
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Why Blood Pressure Cuff Size Matters
People who get their blood pressure checked with a cuff thats much too tight or too loose on their upper arm wont get an accurate reading and may get misdiagnosed as a result.
Getty Images
Blood pressure cuffs really arent one-size-fits-all. To the contrary, a recent study suggests that people who get their blood pressure checked with a cuff thats the wrong size for their arm circumference may have undetected hypertension or get incorrectly diagnosed with this condition.
Like people, blood pressure cuffs come in many sizes. The American Heart Association recommends that the length of the bladder that wraps around patients upper arms be 75 to 100 percent of their arm circumference for a snug but not excessively tight fit. Cuffs for a regular size adult might get accurate readings for a person with an arm circumference of around 27 to 34 inches, according to the AHA, but it would be inaccurate for somebody with a much smaller or larger size.
Many previous studies have noted inaccurate blood pressure readings made with ill-fitting manual blood pressure cuffs that clinicians pump by hand to compress around the upper arm, but new research presented at the AHAs Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2022 suggests that inaccuracies also occur with newer, automated blood pressure monitors.
Overall, 30 percent of the study participants had hypertension, according to their systolic blood pressure.
You May Like: Can Afib Cause High Blood Pressure
Choosing A Blood Pressure Monitor
If you’re planning to take your blood pressure at home, it’s important to have a reliable blood pressure monitor. The AHA recommends an automatic, cuff-style, bicep monitor, but there are other options.
When selecting a blood pressure monitor, consider the following:
- Fit: To ensure a proper fit, measure around your upper arm and choose a monitor that comes with the correct size cuff.
- Number of people: If more than one person will be using the monitor, make sure to choose one that fits everyone.
- Features: Some blood pressure monitors offer extra tech features, like Bluetooth and app connectivity. If you don’t think you’ll benefit from these extras, go ahead and choose one that is efficient, easy to use, and more affordable.
- Budget: High-quality blood pressure monitors vary dramatically in price, from around $25 to well over $100. Keep in mind that a good monitor is a great investment and that you will be using it daily for several years.
- Other considerations: The AHA notes that when selecting a blood pressure monitor for a senior, pregnant person, or child, you should make sure it is validated for these conditions.
If you need help selecting an at-home device, check out these blood pressure monitors, which were vetted by the Verywell team based on the above criteria.
There Are Several Less Common Causes Of Dizziness And Vertigo
Pay attention to all bouts of dizziness, because along with other symptoms, they could point to something more serious. See your doctor to rule out health problems related to frequent or severe bouts of dizziness or vertigo.
Even though less than 1 percent of my patients have a life-threatening or previously unsuspected cause of dizziness such as stroke warning symptoms or a brain tumor I still take all cases of dizziness seriously, says Whitman. If you have a brain tumor, it’s usually not the only symptom you have, he says.
One very rare condition linked to vertigo is Ménières disease. If you have prolonged episodes of whirling vertigo along with hearing problems in one ear, it could be Ménières, says Whitman. He estimates that this affects only about 0.2 percent of the population, and is sometimes found in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. Though it cant be cured, it can be treated.
Also Check: How To Raise Low Blood Pressure
Diagnosing High Or Low Blood Pressure
Only one of your numbers needs to be higher than it should be to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, and only one needs to be lower than it should be to be diagnosed with low blood pressure.
So if your top number is over 140 or the bottom number is over 90, you may be diagnosed with , regardless of the other number. If your top number is under 90 or your bottom number is under 60, you may be diagnosed with . Use the to see where your numbers sit.
If your top number is consistently higher than 140mmHg, but the bottom number is healthy – this is known as Isolated Systolic Hypertension. If the bottom number is consistently higher than 90mmHg but the top number is healthy – this is known as Isolated Diastolic Hypertension.
Making sure your readings arent a one-off
A single high reading doesnt necessarily mean you have high blood pressure, as many things can affect your blood pressure throughout the day, such as the temperature, when you last ate, and if youre feeling stressed.
Your doctor or nurse will probably want to measure your blood pressure a number of times over a few weeks to make sure the reading wasnt just a one off and that your blood pressure stays high over time.
Read about how , getting a , the you might have if you have a high blood pressure reading, and .
How Blood Pressure Works
When the heart muscle relaxes, theleft ventricle contracts and pumps blood to the arteries. During the contraction of the ventricle,the pressure is higher because blood is being ejected into the arteries. Whenno blood is being ejected into the arteries, pressure is lower. The contraction of the leftventricle is what you feel whenever you place your finger over an artery.
The amount of blood pumped into the arteries, and the resistance of its flow in the smaller arteries are the 2 factors that determine blood pressure. If the arterioles are narrow or more blood is being directed to the arteries, blood pressure tends to be high. In older patients, the stiffness of the arterioles may be triggered by atherosclerosis.
Also Check: What Is Systolic Blood Pressure
Postural Or Orthostatic Hypotension
Postural or orthostatic hypotension occurs when your blood pressure falls after a sudden movement. For example, you may feel dizzy or faint after changing posture, such as sitting up from a lying position, or standing up from a sitting position. This may cause you to lose your balance and fall over. You may also feel light-headed, have blurred vision, or lose consciousness.
The symptoms of postural or orthostatic hypotension should only last a few minutes as your blood pressure adjusts to your new position. This type of low blood pressure tends to affect people more as they get older when it can lead to more frequent falls. Similar symptoms may also occur after exercise.
Treatment Of Low Blood Pressure
Unless accompanied by other conditions, low blood pressure is usually easy to treat and does not require much medication. Often, a low blood pressure diet may be prescribed, or a change in lifestyle may become necessary. Common recommendations include:
Increased intake of water: Dehydration can cause an electrolyte imbalance resulting in signs of low blood pressure, and care towards adequate hydration would be important, especially in high temperature situations, during fevers or dysentery.
Increased sodium in diet: Salted nuts, cheeses and cured fish and meats are high in sodium content, and would help stabilize blood pressure in case it is very low. Care must be taken to not overdo it, however, and for a balance to be maintained.
Limiting alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption can cause fluctuation in heart rate and limiting its consumption for some time will help alleviate symptoms of low blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals.
Exercise: Light exercises not involving much strain to the body help improve circulation of blood throughout, and keep the heart healthy. In cases of low blood pressure, it is important to be aware of its symptoms such as palpitations and cold skin so that exercising does not aggravate the condition.
Ceasing any aggravating medication:If intake of certain medication is seen to cause dips in blood pressure, your doctor may recommend a substitute for the drug, or even stopping its consumption till pressure is stabilized.
Also Check: Is Vinegar Good For High Blood Pressure
Surprising Facts About Dizziness And Vertigo
Dizzy spells and vertigo may be caused by different factors. Learn the potential reasons you may be dizzy, plus why you may be experiencing nausea.
Phanie/Alamy
Many of us have found ourselves asking the question, be it on ordinary days or in times of illness, Why am I dizzy?
While dizzy spells can be uncomfortable, it probably wont surprise you to learn that occasional dizziness is very common in adults. But you may not have suspected that vertigo a related but more serious condition that makes you feel like the room is spinning as you stand still is also common, affecting nearly 40 percent of people over age 40 at least once in their lifetime, according to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.
So, how do you know if you have vertigo or ordinary dizziness? The main difference is vertigo can cause nausea and vomiting and may be a symptom of a serious balance disorder while dizziness simply makes you feel momentarily unbalanced. That said, dizzy spells can range in severity from merely annoying to seriously debilitating.
Heres what causes vertigo and general dizziness plus what to do if you experience one of these episodes.
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.
Recommended Reading: Can High Blood Pressure Cause Nosebleeds
Dizzy Spells May Be Caused By An Inner Ear Problem
One of the most surprising causes of dizziness is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, says Gregory Whitman, MD, an ear and brain specialist with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Balance and Vestibular Center at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital in Massachusetts. Your inner ear contains calcium and protein-based sensing crystals called otoconia, says Dr. Whitman. If these crystals are dislodged and float into your inner ears canals, you may have a brief spinning sensation. Its a simple mechanical problem that can and should be corrected with physical therapy, and not with medication or surgery, says Whitman.
Though BPPV is the most common inner earrelated balance disorder, it affects only about 1 out of 1,000 people per year, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association . And while it can affect adults of any age, this type of vertigo primarily affects older adults. Most cases occur for no apparent reason, but BPPV has been linked to trauma, migraines, inner ear infections, diabetes, and osteoporosis. After treatment, 50 percent of patients may experience the problem again within five years especially if it was the result of trauma, say experts at VEDA.
Blood Pressure Numbers And What They Mean
Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day, but it is lowest when you are sleeping. It can also rise when you are excited, nervous or active. For most waking hours, though, BP stays relatively stable and should be lower than 120/80 mmHg.
In general, lower numbers are better, but very low BP can also be a cause for concern. Consistent readings in the elevated or prehypertension range increase the likelihood that hypertension will develop unless preventative actions are taken. Individuals of any age who have chronic kidney disease and/or diabetes should pay close attention to their BP.
Read Also: How High Is High Blood Pressure