Low Blood Pressure and Important Symptoms to Look For
The cardiovascular system is challenged with a wide range of tasks on a day-to-day basis. One important task of the cardiovascular system is to maintain blood pressure. Blood pressure is something that naturally fluctuates throughout the day due to activity levels, circadian rhythm, eating, resting, and anything that could create emotions. While it is most common for adults to have high blood pressure, there are instances when low blood pressure can occur. The information ahead discusses low blood pressure, what to expect if it affects you, and how to manage it if you experience any bothersome signs or symptoms.
What is Low Blood Pressure and What is its Classification?
Low blood pressure is a condition in which the pressure inside your heart is lower than normal. This is also known as hypotension and can have clinical importance for your health and wellness.
Normal blood pressure is a measurement of 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic and below. However, when blood pressure is below 90 mmHg systolic or 60 mmHg diastolic, then this is considered hypotension. While this is generally not a major concern for young adults, it can be a sign of an important health condition that requires medical attention, which is discussed more below.
What are Some Important Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?
Signs and symptoms are important tools your body uses to communicate that something is not right with your health. Some signs and symptoms of hypotension are listed below.
- Nausea. This can be for a wide range of issues depending on the cause of low blood pressure. Sometimes an illness might cause this or it could be due to a lack of proper perfusion. Either way, some adults feel ill when blood pressure is low and should be a symptom to monitor.
- Fatigue and Tiredness. This should be a tough one to pinpoint because fatigue can be caused from poor sleep or mental exhaustion, especially in the circumstances of stress. However if fatigue still is bothering you despite getting restful sleep then this could be a sign of low blood pressure. When blood circulation is reduced due to low blood pressure, this can create diminished nutrient exchange in small blood vessels and the brain, which could tell your body to slow down in your daily life.
- Lightheadedness. One important sign that your blood pressure is low is if you feel lightheaded and feel like fainting. When blood is not circulating properly, it could cause the mind to feel faint, light, and surroundings may appear as if it is a tunnel. If you have this feeling, be sure to sit down to avoid a fall and seek medical attention to see why you feel this way.
- Weak Heartbeat and Pulse. Since pressure in the blood vessels and heart is low, chances are you could feel a weak pulse. A weak pulse is a signal that blood pressure is low, mainly because the heart does not have to pump as hard to push blood to the rest of the body. If you notice that your pulse is abnormally weak, consider checking your blood pressure and informing your doctor.
- Fast and Short Breathing. If you have any other symptoms and it is hard to breathe slowly and deeply as you normally should, then this could mean your body is trying to increase oxygenation to your entire body. Do not overlook this symptom because it could also indicate an irregular heartbeat or additional health problem.
- Cold Extremities. When the pressure in your cardiovascular system is lower than normal, this could be a sign that blood is not moving forward, especially into the feet and hands. If you notice this on a regular basis you should have your blood pressure examined and check to see why your limbs are not getting the blood flow necessary.
What Causes Low Blood Pressure?
There are a wide range of causes for hypotension and while some are not concerning, there are some that require urgent attention. Consider the causes of hypotension below.
- Orthostatic Hypotension. This is a common condition that happens when blood pressure decreases upon standing. This is a very common condition among younger adults, but can definitely affect older adults and people who are on certain medications such as diuretics. If you feel weak or lightheaded upon standing, consider informing your doctor about this symptom so that proper testing can be made.
- Infection. Any infection that is in the bloodstream is called sepsis, which can lead to low blood pressure depending on the severity. In severe sepsis, blood pressure can drop to dangerous levels which require immediate medical help. If you are feeling ill and suspect you have an infection, it is important to get medical attention to ensure this condition does not occur.
- Hypothyroidism. When the thyroid isn’t working correctly it could cause lower heart rate and blood pressure. The thyroid primarily works on the body’s metabolism and when it is underperforming, it could lead to decreased heart rate and blood pressure. If you have chronic low blood pressure, a simple blood test can be performed to see the overall function of your thyroid to see if this is the cause.
- Heart Failure. One reason for low blood pressure is due to severe heart concerns. When the heart isn’t pumping correctly it can lead to reduced blood flow, called heart failure. This is a concern and should be a reason to seek medical care as soon as possible.
Are There any Treatments for Low Blood Pressure?
Generally there is not a big need for treatments for low blood pressure and when it affects younger adults it is not a large concern. Lifestyle changes often include drinking water and adding sodium to the diet. In addition, compression stockings might be helpful when standing, especially when the stockings have pressure throughout the sleeve. When these do not work, medication to increase blood pressure might be prescribed by your doctor depending on your body’s specific needs.
