Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is the medical term for blood pressures measuring less than 90/60 on average. While it is commonly believed that lower blood pressure levels are desirable, very low levels may result in weakness, fatigue, dizziness and fainting. In very severe cases, hypotension can potentially be life-threatening.
Knowing when to talk to a doctor online or in person is extremely important if you regularly suffer from low blood pressure. This blog will discuss what hypotension is, the most common symptoms, its causes and how it is treated.
What is low blood pressure?
When a doctor measures your blood pressure, they typically take two readings. The higher of the two is a measure of systolic pressure which is caused by your heart contracting and pushing out blood. The lower blood pressure reading, called diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure of your heart relaxing and pulling in blood. The normal systolic blood pressure for most adults lies over 90mmHg (a unit of pressure) and below 120mmHg, whereas the normal diastolic blood pressure levels are over 60 and below 80mmHg. Anything over the higher levels is known as hypertension or high blood pressure and anything under the lower levels is known as hypotension or low blood pressure.
Symptoms of low blood pressure
In most cases, blood pressure levels slightly lower than the optimum levels do not cause any major symptoms to appear and often does not even need to be treated. A sudden drop of more than 20mmHg can cause fainting because the brain fails to receive enough blood. In the elderly, sudden drops in blood pressure for no apparent reason can be a cause for concern because it is usually an indicator of an underlying problem and can result in an inadequate flow of blood to vital organs.
If you suffer from a sudden drop in blood pressure, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Nausea
- Fatigue, and
- Lack of concentration.
If your blood pressure drops significantly, the following symptoms may be seen. If you or a loved one (especially if they’re older) suddenly experiences these symtpms, it is imperative to seek immediate emergency medical help:
- Rapid, shallow breathing,
- Cold, clammy skin
- Disorientation
- Weak and rapid pulse.
The above symptoms together can be life-threatening and are often known as shock.
Causes of low blood pressure
There are several reasons why you may experience a drop in blood pressure, including:
- Dehydration
- Pregnancy
- Blood loss (injury or blood donation)
- Vitamin B-12, folate and iron deficiencies
- Certain medications like alpha and beta blockers, antidepressants, water pills, drugs for Parkinson’s disease or erectile dysfunction
- Overheating
- Excessive alcohol or drug intake
- Certain allergic reactions
- Severe infection (septicemia)
- Certain heart, nervous system or endocrine system conditions, or
- Standing up too fast from a position of sitting or lying down, often known as postural hypotension.
Risk factors for low blood pressure:
Certain demographics may be more at risk of having lower blood pressure levels, although the condition can occur in anyone.
- Age: People above the age of 65 are more at risk of experiencing sudden drops in blood pressure. However, a certain type of neural condition known as neurally mediated hypotension affects children and younger adults and usually occurs when the individual has been standing for a long time. This occurs as a result of faulty signals sent to the heart by the brain.
- Pregnancy: Hypotension in pregnant woman is extremely common because hormone changes cause the walls of the blood vessels to relax in order to increase the flow of blood to the baby. However, this is usally not a cause for concern and resolves on its own after the baby is born.
- Certain medication: People taking medication for high blood pressure may be at greater risk of lower blood pressure levels than normal.
- Certain diseases: People suffering from diabetes, Parkinson’s diseases and certain heart conditions may be at greater risk of having lower blood pressure levels.
When to talk to a doctor about low blood pressure
In most cases, low blood pressure shows no symptoms and you might not even notice that your blood pressure levels are low unless it is detected at a routine medical checkup. It only becomes a cause for concern if you consistently have low blood pressure levels which cause dizziness, fainting or lack of concentration. Sudden, extreme drops in pressure can be an indication of underlying medical conditions, which will need to be monitored.
If you are experiencing frequent bouts of fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision and your symptoms are effecting your quality of life, it can be a good idea to get in touch with a doctor. If booking an in-person appointment isn’t feasible, talk to a doctor online about your symptoms, and your online doctor might initially advise you a few lifestyle changes to see if the symptoms improve. However, if they persist, you may be recommended a few tests to check if any other underlying problems are the cause of your low blood pressure.