Sometimes patients come to the clinic not because they have high blood pressure but because they are concerned about their blood pressure being low.
Blood pressure is considered normal at 120/80 mmHg and below, with low blood pressure or hypotension as a reading below 90/60 mmHg. Fatigue, blurred vision, and lightheadedness are just some of the common symptoms of low blood pressure. However, what's considered low for one person might be normal for another.
Low blood pressure is really relative to what a person's blood pressure normally is. There are some patients whose blood pressure is normally 90/60 but without symptoms, so this would not be deemed a low blood pressure for them. Low blood pressure on its own is not dangerous. As long as you feel fine and have no symptoms there is no need to worry.
You should keep track of what your normal blood pressure is so you can recognize when it dips. If the previously mentioned symptoms persist, accompanied by clammy skin and fainting, this warrants a trip to the emergency room.
Having severe hypotension, or having dangerously low blood pressure levels, can cause the body to go into shock where the brain and organs can't function properly. It can manifest with additional symptoms, such as:
• Shallow breathing
• Weak and rapid pulse
• Confusion
• Pale/whitish skin tone
• Fainting
Blood pressure is usually lowest at night and rises sharply on waking. It is also important to know that your blood pressure normally fluctuates throughout the day depending on:
• Body position
• Breathing rhythm
• Stress level
• Physical condition
• Medications
• What you eat and drink
• Time of day
Your blood pressure may drop if you haven't eaten or are dehydrated, or if you accidentally took your medication for high blood pressure twice. Other medications like water pills or diuretics can also cause your blood pressure to drop.
Low blood pressure may also be a symptom of underlying medical conditions such as anemia, so your health provider may perform blood tests to check. Conditions like pregnancy, heart problems, serious infections, severe allergic reactions and blood loss can also cause blood pressure to become lower than usual.
The best way to quickly treat low blood pressure is to make sure that you sit or lay down, and you can also try raising your legs above the level of your heart. This helps to get as much blood up to the brain as possible. If your symptoms do not go away in an hour after resting and drinking water, please call your doctor immediately or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
