How Common Is This Condition
Because low blood pressure is common without any symptoms, its impossible to know how many people it really affects overall. However, orthostatic hypertension seems to be more and more common as you get older. An estimated 5% of people have it at age 50, while that figure climbs to more than 30% in people over 70.
This Is What Causes Low Blood Pressure
Having low pressure might not seem like a big deal, but it could indicate an underlying problem. For many people, low blood pressure goes unnoticed. Others could feel dizzy or faint or experience blurred vision. In severe cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. “Low blood pressure causes a lack of blood supply carrying glucose and oxygen to tissues and organ systems,” says endocrinologist Brian Fertig, MD, FACE, founder and president of the Diabetes & Osteoporosis Center. “As a result, there is inadequate energy for the proper function of these tissues and organ systems.” According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, low blood pressure is considered anything less than 90/60. Fertig talked with ETNT Health about what causes low blood pressure and how to help prevent it. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
If You Notice A Sudden Decline In Blood Pressure
A single lower-than-normal reading is not cause for alarm, unless you are experiencing any other symptoms or problems. If you experience any dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or other symptoms, its a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider. To help with your diagnosis, keep a record of your symptoms and activities at the time they occurred.
Is low blood pressure related to low heart rate? Find out.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.
Last Reviewed: Oct 31, 2016
You May Like: What Reading Is Low Blood Pressure
Changing The Diameter Of Arterioles And Veins
Muscle tissue within the walls of arterioles allow these blood vessels to widen or narrow . The more constricted arterioles are, the greater their resistance to blood flow and the higher the blood pressure. Constriction of arterioles increases blood pressure because more pressure is needed to force blood through the narrower space. Conversely, dilation of arterioles reduces resistance to blood flow, thus reducing blood pressure. The degree to which arterioles are constricted or dilated is affected by
-
Nerves that contract smooth muscle in the arterioles, thus reducing their diameter
-
Hormones Endocrine Function The main function of endocrine glands is to secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones are chemical substances that affect the activity of another part of the body … read more that are primarily made by the kidneys
Veins also play a role in the control of blood pressure, although their effect on blood pressure is much less than that of arterioles. Veins dilate and constrict to change how much blood they can hold . When veins constrict, their capacity to hold blood is reduced, allowing more blood to return to the heart from which it is pumped into the arteries. As a result, blood pressure increases. Conversely, when veins dilate, their capacity to hold blood is increased, allowing less blood to return to the heart. As a result, blood pressure decreases.
What Is The Lowest Blood Pressure That Is Safe
Low blood pressure on its own is not life-threatening. So, if you have a blood pressure reading that’s lower than normal, but you feel alright, then you don’t need to worry.
“The lowest blood pressure that is considered ‘safe’ is a blood pressure where the patient doesn’t have symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, and almost passing out,” says Oen-Hsiao.
Recommended Reading: Does Beer Cause High Blood Pressure
Low Blood Pressure And The Heart
The heart is a muscle that works as a pump and is controlled by electrical signals. Problems with either the pump or the electricity can cause problems with low blood pressure.
- If the heart beats too quickly, blood pressure may fall because there isn’t enough time for the heart to refill in between each beat . If the heart beats too slowly, there may be too much time spent in diastole when blood is not flowing.
- If the heart muscle has been damaged or irritated, there may not be enough pumping force to maintain blood pressure. In heart attack , enough heart muscle may be stunned so that the heart is too weak to pump effectively.
- The valves of the heart allow blood to flow in only one direction. If a valve fails, blood can regurgitate backwards, minimizing the amount that will flow out to the body. If a valve becomes narrowed , then blood flow may be decreased. Both situations may cause hypotension.
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.
Also Check: How To Lower Your Blood Pressure In One Day
Monitoring And Controlling Blood Pressure
Baroreceptors are specialized cells located within arteries that act as blood pressure sensors. The receptors in the large arteries of the neck and chest are particularly important. When baroreceptors detect a change in blood pressure, they trigger the body to react to maintain a steady blood pressure. Nerves carry signals from these sensors and the brain to
-
The heart, which is signaled to change the rate and force of heartbeats . This change is one of the first, and it corrects low blood pressure quickly.
-
The arterioles, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .
-
The veins, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .
-
The kidneys, which are signaled to change the amount of fluid excreted and to change the amount of hormones that they produce . This change takes a long time to produce results and thus is the slowest mechanism for how the body controls blood pressure.
For example, when a person is bleeding, blood volume and thus blood pressure decrease. In such cases, sensors activate multiple processes to prevent blood pressure from decreasing too much:
-
The heart rate increases and the heart beats more forcefully with each contraction, increasing the amount of blood pumped
-
The veins constrict, reducing their capacity to hold blood in less important parts of the body
-
The arterioles constrict, increasing their resistance to blood flow
In addition, as people age, the body responds to changes in blood pressure more slowly.
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.
Also Check: What Happens If Blood Pressure Is Too Low
Blood Pressure Vs Heart Rate
Blood pressure and heart rate are both important indications of how well your heart is working, but they measure different things. As noted above, blood pressure is the force of your blood flowing through your arteries. By contrast, heart rate is the number of times your heart beats each minute.
In adults, the heart typically beats 60 to 100 times per minute while at rest. But as with blood pressure, a healthy heart rate will differ between individuals. For instance, a pulse below 60 beats per minute is slower than normal, but it might not cause any issues for you.
However, in some situations, a low pulse means that the heart is not circulating enough blood to satisfy the body’s needs. That can cause you to feel dizzy and weak. A pulse in the 30s is a dangerously low heart rate and should be investigated.
The relationship between blood pressure and heart rate is complex. If you’re concerned about your numbers, see your doctor.
What Low Blood Pressure Means
Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure, which is typically defined by a blood pressure reading of 90/60 mm Hg or lower. For reference, a normal blood pressure range is around 100/60 mm Hg to 120/80 mm Hg.
Low blood pressure with no symptoms is rarely a cause for concern, says Nicole Weinberg, MD, a cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. In fact, some people have chronic low blood pressure, but feel fine, and do not need to be treated.
However, if low blood pressure is combined with symptoms of dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, it could be a sign that you need medical attention.
You May Like: Is Garlic Pills Good For Blood Pressure
What Is Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure .
A blood pressure reading appears as two numbers. The first and higher of the two is a measure of systolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood. The second number measures diastolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 . In healthy people, low blood pressure without any symptoms is not usually a concern and does not need to be treated. But low blood pressure can be a sign of an underlying problem — especially in the elderly — where it may cause inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs.
Chronic low blood pressure with no symptoms is almost never serious. But health problems can occur when blood pressure drops suddenly and the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply. This can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. Sudden drops in blood pressure most commonly occur in someone who’s rising from a lying down or sitting position to standing. This kind of low blood pressure is known as postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension. Another type of low blood pressure can occur when someone stands for a long period of time. This is called neurally mediated hypotension.
What Causes High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can also happen during pregnancy.
You can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems that may affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
Also Check: What Can I Take To Lower Blood Pressure
What Is Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing on the artery walls as it is pumped out of the heart. Blood pressure is measured in two kinds of pressures. Systolic pressure is when the heart beats while pumping blood. Diastolic pressure is when the heart is at rest between beats.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury . Systolic pressure is listed first , then diastolic pressure .
Normal blood pressure in adults is less than 120/80 mmHg.Low blood pressure is a reading below 90/60 mmHg.
Most forms of hypotension happen because your body can’t bring blood pressure back to normal or can’t do it fast enough.
For some people, low blood pressure is normal. They have it all the time, with no symptoms or negative side effects.
In other people, abnormally low blood pressure is caused by certain medical conditions or factors. When this happens, less blood and oxygen flow to the body’s organs.
Symptoms To Watch Out For:
Detecting the symptoms of low blood pressure is difficult usually until it is too late. But most of the time, common signs include light headiness, dizziness, and fainting. The lowest category of hypotension is when the pressure significantly drops to a much lower level that is way below the normal range.
A systolic pressure that is below sixty coupled with a diastolic pressure of below forty is a very low blood pressure which can expose the person to various risks associated with chronic hypotension.
Dangerous low ranges have readings of 50/33 and this is common to those suffering from atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, kidney problems, and other related illnesses.
A sudden drop in blood pressure can be very dangerous. A sudden change of 20 systolic pressure from 130 to 110 can result in fainting and dizziness. This happens because the brain is not able to get enough supply of oxygen and other nutrients usually carried by the blood. When this happens other related ailments may occur such as stroke, hardening of arteries, and visual damage among others.
Also Check: How Does Cardiac Output Affect Blood Pressure
Women Have A Lower Range Of Normal Blood Pressure Than Men
- Date:
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Summary:
- A new study shows that women have a lower normal blood pressure range compared to men.
A new study from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai shows that women have a lower normal blood pressure range compared to men. The findings were published today in the peer-reviewed journal Circulation.
Currently, established blood pressure guidelines state that women and men have the same normal healthy range of blood pressure. But the new research shows there are differences in normal blood pressure between the sexes.
Our latest findings suggest that this one-size-fits-all approach to considering blood pressure may be detrimental to a womans health, said Susan Cheng, MD, MPH, MMSc, associate professor of Cardiology and director of the Institute for Research on Healthy Aging in the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute and senior author of the study. Based on our research results, we recommend that the medical community reassess blood pressure guidelines that do not account for sex differences.
The first number in a blood pressure reading is called the systolic pressure and measures the force of the blood against the artery walls as your heart beats. The second number is the diastolic pressure, the blood pressure against the artery walls between heartbeats.
Story Source:
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 wont cause you any problems and wont need treating. In fact, the lower your blood pressure, the lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
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 youre worried about low blood pressure.
Plus, take a look at the animation below on how to manage low blood pressure when you stand up.
Don’t Miss: Why Is My Blood Pressure High In The Morning
How Do I Take Care Of Myself
If you have hypotension with symptoms, the best thing you can do is follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on managing this condition. Their recommendations may include any of the following:
- Manage your diet. Following diet recommendations, especially how much salt you should have in your diet, can help avoid symptoms of hypotension.
- Take your medication. These can help you avoid the disruptive symptoms and effects of this condition.
- Dress up. Compression socks, which put light pressure on your legs and feet, can push blood upward and raise your blood pressure.
- Take it slow. Avoid standing up too quickly, especially with orthostatic hypotension. That can help you avoid the dizziness and fainting effects of hypotension.
- Have a seat. If you notice yourself feeling dizzy or lightheaded, sit down. Falling from standing height can put you at risk for severe or even catastrophic injuries from a fall, such as a broken hip, concussion, skull fracture or broken ribs.
Low Blood Pressure In Elderly People: The Vital Facts You Should Know
Most people are aware that high blood pressure in seniors can lead to serious medical issues, but low blood pressure in elderly individuals gets far less attention. However, blood pressure that drops too low can have equally serious effects on your health. It’s important to know the facts so that you can take proper care of yourself.
A low blood pressure reading is not necessarily cause for panic. While high blood pressure is harmful even if you don’t know you have it, low blood pressure is generally not a problem unless you start experiencing symptoms like dizziness or blurred vision. If that happens, you need to take action. Symptomatic low blood pressure in the elderly can be very dangerous because it raises the risk of a fall. At its most extreme, it can lead to shock and even death.
This article explains the basic facts about blood pressure, including how it’s measured and what the measurements mean. It also describes common symptoms of low blood pressure and outlines a variety of factors that can cause such a condition. And it provides information about different ways that low blood pressure in older adults can be treated or managed.
Also Check: Can High Blood Pressure Cause Erectile Dysfunction