Health Concerns: Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure

Learn the causes and symptoms of having low blood pressure and when seeking professional help is needed.

Low blood pressure is often recognized as a major health concern.In fact, someone who has low blood pressure may want to consider him or herself fortunate.People with low blood pressure (hypotension) are known to live longer than people who have high blood pressure (hypertension).There are some circumstances in which having low blood pressure can be a cause for health concern and should be discussed with your health professional.

How is blood pressure measured, and what do these numbers mean?

A person with normal blood pressure should have a reading of 120/80 mm Hg, and a person with low blood pressure may have a reading of 90/60 mm Hg. Your blood pressure does fluctuate throughout the day depending on what you are doing. These numbers describe the amount of pressure inside the arteries.The top number is called a systolic pressure and the bottom is diastolic.The doctor puts a pressure cuff around your arm and inflates the cuff to place pressure on your arteries.Once the pressure is released, at that point is when the doctor will measure your systolic pressure.The doctor continues to listen to the blood flow and when no more sounds are to be heard, that is when the diastolic pressure is measured.

What are the symptoms of low blood pressure and should I be concerned?

Dizziness or fainting as a result of any slight movement; for example, bending over or getting up from a sitting position may be symptoms of low blood pressure.Excessive sweating or feeling constantly tired or depressed to the point where it starts to affect the quality of your life, can also be symptoms of low blood pressure, and should be a cause for concern.Low blood pressure may occasionally cause shortness of breath and a slight pain in the chest due to inadequate blood supply to the heart.If blood pressure is too low, the brain is the first organ to be effected, and brain damage could occur.Other symptoms may occur, due to other body mechanisms trying to increase blood pressure that is low.For example, when the arteries restrict the blood flow to the feet and hands, these may turn cold and blue.Heart palpitations caused by the heart rapidly beating to increase blood pressure may also be a symptom.If your blood pressure gets too low, all organs may eventually begin to shut down and shock can occur.

What causes low blood pressure?

Having low blood pressure may be caused by medications being taken to treat high blood pressure.In some cases the medications work too well and lower the blood pressure.Dehydration, due to vomiting or diarrhea, excessive blood loss and fluid around the heart may also cause low blood pressure as well as head injuries or damage to the nervous system.

How is low blood pressure treated?

Depending on the cause, medications or replacement of blood or fluid loss should begin to bring blood pressure back to normal.Some doctors may suggest elevating your head at bedtime to wearing elastic stockings and even taking salt tablets or salt retention hormones to lower blood pressure.Blood pressure should be rechecked as often as needed and symptoms monitored.

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