Low blood pressure may seem appealing for some, but for many, an excessively low blood pressure (hypotension) may cause fainting and dizziness. In extreme cases, low blood pressure could be life-threatening.
Blood pressure levels that are lower than 90 millimeters mercury (mm Hg) for the highest amount (systolic) and 60 mm Hg for the lowest (diastolic) are usually regarded as for low blood pressure.
The reasons for low blood pressure may be due to dehydration or serious medical conditions. It is essential to determine the cause of your blood pressure drop to ensure that it is managed.
Symptoms
In some cases, low blood pressure could signal an undelying issue particularly when it is suddenly dropped or is associated with symptoms and signs like:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fainting
- Vision blurred or faded
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Inattention and lack of focus
Shock
Hypotension extreme can cause this life-threatening situation. It is characterized by symptoms such as:
- Confusion, particularly in older adults
- Cold, clammy, pale skin
- Rapid deep breathing, shallow
- A weak and fast pulse
When should you see a doctor?
If you are experiencing symptoms or signs of shock, get emergency medical attention.
If you’re consistently experiencing low blood pressure levels and still feel normal, the doctor may simply monitor you during regular medical examinations.
Sometimes, lightheadedness or dizziness can be a fairly minor issue — caused by moderate dehydration due to excessive time outdoors in sun, or in a hot tub for example. However, it’s essential to consult your physician for any signs that suggest low blood pressure as they could indicate more serious issues. It’s beneficial to keep a log of your signs – how often they happen and what you’re doing at the moment.
Causes
Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure that is present in your blood vessels during the active and resting periods of every heartbeat.
- Systolic Pressure. The top number in the reading of blood pressure is what amount of blood pressure your heart generates as it pumps the blood from your veins to your body.
- Diastolic Pressure. The bottom number in the blood pressure reading is related to the blood pressure that is in your arteries when your heart is in rest between heart beats.
Current guidelines define normal blood pressure to be less than 120/80 mm Hg .
The blood pressure fluctuates through the entire day based on:
- Body posture
- Breathing rhythm
- Stress level
- Physical physical
- The medications you are taking
- What do you eat and drink?
- Time of day
Blood pressure usually is lower at night and increases rapidly upon awakening.
How Low Can Blood Pressure Go?
What is considered to be as low blood pressure in your case might be normal for other people. The majority of doctors will consider blood pressure too low only when it is causing symptoms.
According to some experts, “low blood pressure” means readings that are lower than 90 mm Hg Systolic or 60 mmHg diastolic. If both numbers are below that, then your pressure is less than normal.
A sudden drop in blood pressure could be risky. Changes of only 20 percent can be dangerous as sudden drops can cause fainting and dizziness when the brain does not receive sufficient blood.
Conditions that can cause Hypotension
Conditions that may cause low blood pressure are:
- Birth: This is because the circulatory system is expanding quickly during pregnancy and the blood pressure will likely to fall. This is normal and the blood pressure will return to its pre-pregnancy levels after the birth of your baby.
- Heart issues: Some heart conditions which can cause low blood pressure are slow heart rates (bradycardia) heart valve issues or heart attack as well as heart failure.
- Endocrine issues: Parathyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), Low glucose levels (hypoglycemia), and in some instances the condition of diabetes can cause low blood pressure.
- Dehydration: When your body sheds excess water that it is taking in it may cause fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. The vomiting of extreme diarrhea, excessive use of diuretics as well as strenuous exercises can cause dehydration.
- Loss of blood. Losing a lot of blood, like due to a serious injury or from internal bleeding lowers your blood supply that is in the body, leading to an extreme reduction of blood pressure.
- A serious infection (septicemia). When an infection within the body’s bloodstream, it may result in a potentially fatal drop in blood pressure , known as Septic shock.
- An allergic response that is severe (anaphylaxis). Common causes of this serious and possibly life-threatening reaction are certain foods, certain medicines, insect venoms and latex. Anaphylaxis may cause breathing issues and itching, hives swelling of the throat, and a high blood pressure that is dangerously low.
- A lack of nutritional elements in your food. A lack of folate, vitamin B-12 and iron may prevent your body from making sufficient red blood cells (anemia) which can lead to lower blood pressure.
Certain medications can lead to low blood pressure
Certain medications can result in low blood pressure, which includes:
- Pills of water (diuretics) like furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide and others)
- Alpha blockers, such as prazosin (Minipress)
- Beta blockers, for instance, atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL, other)
- Treatments for Parkinson’s disease like pramipexole (Mirapex) or ones that contain levodopa
- Certain kinds of antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants) such as the doxepin (Silenor) as well as imipramine (Tofranil)
- Drugs to treat erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra) or tadalafil (Adcirca, Alyq, Cialis) in particular when used together with the heart-health medication, nitroglycerin (Nitrostat and others)
Types of Hypotension
Doctors usually dissect the low blood pressure (hypotension) into different categories depending on the cause and other causes. The most common kinds of hypotension are:
Low blood pressure when rising in a standing position (orthostatic or postural) hypotension.
This is an abrupt reduction in blood pressure when you get up from a sitting position , or when lying on your back.Gravity causes blood to accumulate in your legs as you sit. Normally your body will compensate by increasing the cardiovascular rate, and it also constricts blood vessels which ensures that sufficient blood is pumped back to the brain.
However, in patients with orthostatic hypotension this compensating mechanism fails and blood pressure drops and causes lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision, or even fainting.Orthostatic hypotension can be caused by different reasons, such as the effects of dehydration, bed rest for a long time or the pregnancy process and diabetes, heart issues burning, heat large varicose veins as well as various neurological conditions.
A number of medications also can cause orthostatic hypotension, particularly drugs used to treat high blood pressure — diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors — as well as antidepressants and drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease and erectile dysfunction.Orthostatic hypotension is a common occurrence in older people, but it can also affect healthy young adults who suddenly stand up following sitting cross-legged for prolonged periods of time or after sitting for long periods of time.
Low blood pressure following having eaten (postprandial hypotension).
This drop in blood pressure happens between one and two hours after eating, and is most common in older adults. Blood flows into the digestive tract following a meal. Normally, your body raises the rate of your heart and tightens some blood vessels to keep your blood pressure in check.
However, in certain people, the mechanisms are not working, resulting in dizziness, faintness , and even falls. Hypotension postprandial can be significantly affecting those who suffer from high blood pressure or conditions of the nervous system autonomic, such as Parkinson’s disease. Consuming small meals that are low in carbohydrates as well as drinking more fluids and abstaining from alcohol could help to reduce the symptoms.
Blood pressure drops due to the brain’s malfunctioning signals (neurally controlled hypotension).
This disorder that causes an increase in blood pressure when you stand for prolonged periods, usually affects young adults as well as children. It’s thought to result because of a lack of communication with the heart as well as brain.
A low blood pressure caused by damage to the nervous system (multiple system atrophy and an orthostatic hypotension).
Also called Shy-Drager syndrome, this uncommon condition is characterized by a variety of Parkinson symptoms that resemble those of Parkinson’s disease. It causes irreparable damage to the autonomic nerve system, which regulates involuntary functions like blood pressure and breathing, heart rate, and digestion. It is associated with having extremely high blood pressure when sitting down.
Risk factors
Hypotension is a condition that can affect anyone. However, certain kinds of blood pressure problems are more prevalent based on age or other factors.
- The age of the user. Drops in blood pressure after standing or eating are most common in people older than 65. Hypotension that is mediated by the nervous system is most commonly seen in young adults and children.
- Medical Treatment. People who take certain medicines, such as high blood pressure medicines like alpha blockers are more likely to develop having low blood pressure.
- Certain illnesses. Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and certain heart diseases can put you at greater chance of being diagnosed with the condition of low blood pressure.
Complications
Even moderate levels that are caused by low blood pressure may result in dizziness, weakness as well as fainting. There is also a chance of injury as a result of falls.
A blood pressure that is too low could deprive your body of sufficient oxygen to perform its duties, causing the brain and heart.
At Epic Medical Diagnostic Center, we have healthcare professionals who are well trained in checking your blood pressure and advising you accordingly. You can book an appointment with us today and we’ll be glad to help.