Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is a condition that is characterized by a decrease in the pressure of the blood circulating in the body. This can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, some of which are very mild and barely noticeable, while others can be quite severe.
In this blog post, we will discuss 10 common symptoms of low blood pressure. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor and get them checked out!
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure is often considered a good thing. But medical experts have found that too low blood pressure can be just as dangerous as high blood pressure.
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is the moment your systolic blood pressure reading is 90 mm Hg or less. A systolic blood pressure reading is a measurement of the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries each time it beats.
A diastolic blood pressure reading is the measurement of the force your heart exerts between beats, should be 60 mm Hg or less. If you have low blood pressure, you may not have any symptoms. But if you do, they may include lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
If low blood pressure isn’t caused by another health condition and it’s accompanied by one or more of these symptoms, it’s considered orthostatic hypotension.
How Is Low Blood Pressure Diagnosed?
As with hypertension or high blood pressure, blood pressure is easily diagnosed by a blood pressure test. When a person feels drowsy or dizzy while standing up (neurally mediated hypotension), the doctor may require blood pressure measurements at seated or sitting height.
You may have an evaluation of the tilt tables. This is where you sit on tables starting from a vertical position and progressively lowering to almost a position where your body sits as you sit. It is possible to monitor the blood pressure measured and pulse.
Depending on your hormone levels, there may also be blood tests.
Causes Of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can be caused by your diet, dehydration, pregnancy, heart problems, endocrine problems, and some medications.
Genes might also play a part. There are varying levels of blood pressure. If a person stands up long enough, it can cause neurally mediated hypotension. Low blood pressure can also occur from medications if it is high or low while standing.
10 Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure
Symptoms of low blood pressure occur due to inadequate blood pressure in our brain. These include:
1. Lightheadedness
Low blood pressure can cause lightheadedness. When blood pressure is low, not enough blood flow is reaching the brain. This can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. Low blood pressure can also be caused by dehydration, which reduces the volume of blood in the body. When blood volume is low, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the brain.
2. Dizziness
Many different things can cause dizziness, and low blood pressure is one of them. Low blood pressure means that the force of your blood against your artery walls is too low. This can happen when you stand up too quickly, causing blood to pool in your legs. When this happens, not enough blood reaches your brain, and you may feel dizzy or lightheaded.
3. Fainting
As anyone who has ever fainted can attest, it is not a pleasant experience. Fainting is defined as a loss of consciousness for a brief period of time, and it is usually caused by a drop in blood pressure.
When blood pressure gets too low, the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients, causing the individual to lose consciousness.
4. Nausea
In some cases, severely low blood pressure can also lead to nausea. Although the exact cause of low blood pressure is not always clear, it is often due to a medical condition such as dehydration or an allergic reaction.
5. Lack Of Concentration
Low blood pressure can also affect mental function, leading to problems with concentration and memory. Because the brain relies on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood flow to function properly, even a temporary drop in blood pressure can cause these problems.
6. Blurry Vision
When you have low blood pressure, it means that your blood is not flowing through your body as efficiently as it should be. This can cause a number of problems, one of which is blurry vision.
When your blood pressure is low, the blood vessels in your eyes may not be getting enough oxygen and nutrients. This can cause the cells in your eyes to die, resulting in blurred vision. In addition, low blood pressure can also cause the muscles in your eyes to weaken, making it difficult for them to focus properly.
7. Chest Pain
Orthostatic hypotension is often the cause of chest pain. The pain is usually felt as a tightness or pressure in the chest and can be accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea.
When blood pressure is low, the heart blood vessels have to work harder to pump blood around the body. This can lead to an irregular heartbeat, which can cause pain. In some cases, low blood pressure can also cause the arteries to narrow, which can restrict the flow of blood to the heart and blood vessels and cause pain.
8. Shortness Of Breath
Low blood pressure can cause a number of symptoms, including shortness of breath. The medical term for shortness of breath due to low blood pressure is orthopnea. Although it is normally not a serious condition, it can be uncomfortable and may interfere with your daily activities.
9. Irregular Heartbeat
Low blood pressure, also known as orthostatic hypotension, can cause irregular heartbeat. This is because when blood pressure is low, the heart does not pump blood through the blood vessels as efficiently as it should. As a result, the heart rate can become irregular, and in some cases, the heart may even stop altogether.
10. Cardiac Arrest
Who Does Low Blood Pressure Affect?
Orthostatic Hypotension can impact anyone regardless of age or background. However, older persons are often more susceptible to developing symptoms like orthostatic hypertension. It also can occur without signs when one is physically active, which occurs more regularly for young adults.
What Are The Treatment Options For Low Blood Pressure?
In most cases, when blood pressure drops, it isn’t a cause for concern and doesn’t need to be treated. But if you have symptoms of orthostatic hypotension or if low blood pressure is causing you problems, there are things you can do.
According to the National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute, the first step in treating low blood pressure is to identify the underlying cause. If it is due to a medication, your doctor may adjust the dosage or switch you to a different drug. If it is due to an underlying health condition, such as dehydration, your doctor will treat the condition and then monitor your blood pressure.
Final Thoughts
While low blood pressure doesn’t usually cause serious symptoms, it can be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you have any concerns, speak to your doctor. They will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment to lower blood pressure.
What are your experiences with low blood pressure? Have you ever had any of the symptoms mentioned in this article? Let us know in the comments below.