Low blood pressure is equally alarming as high blood pressure. What may start as a dizzy spell, and feeling of fainting; can escalate into a life-threatening issue. When your blood pressure reads 90/50 mm Hg, it is considered to be low blood pressure.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure often signals an underlying issue, especially when it suddenly drops; or is accompanied by symptoms and/or signs listed below:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Blurred or fading vision
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Lack of concentration
Furthermore, extreme hypotension can result in a life-threatening condition, and is showcased by the following symptoms and signs:
- Confusion - Especially in older people
- Cold, clammy, pale skin
- Rapid yet shallow breathing
- Weak and rapid pulse
How Low is Too Low For Blood Pressure?
When it comes to determining how low is too low for blood pressure, you can follow no exact number. Depending on how your unique body type works, you are good to go as long as none of the symptoms are present. However, that does not mean you can take low blood pressure lightly, and you must work to maintain it to a healthy level.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Majority of doctors only consider chronically low blood pressure to be dangerous, when it showcases noticeable symptoms and signs, such as:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Dehydration - unusual thirst
- Blurred vision
- Lack of concentration
- Cold, clammy, and pale skin
- Rapid yet shallow breathing
- Fatigue
- Depression
Underlying Causes of Low Blood Pressure
- Prolonged bed rest can cause your blood pressure to drop
- During the first 24 weeks of your pregnancy, your blood pressure might drop
- A decrease in the blood can cause low blood pressure. This can be after significant trauma, dehydration, and/or internal bleeding
- Several medications can help with low blood pressure. These include but are not limited to drugs used to treat hypertension, heart medications, antidepressants, and dysfunction drugs
- Some heart-related issues can cause low blood pressure, meaning your heart cannot pump the required blood to stay in action. Causing problems with your heart valves, and can lead to heart failure or a heart attack
- Problems that include complications with hormone-producing glands can cause your blood pressure to drop
- Nutritional deficiencies are a leading cause of anemia that is strongly associated with low blood pressure. When your body lacks essential vitamins such as B-12 and folic acid, it starts to struggle with keeping up with your general requirements
- A septic shock occurs when bacteria passes from the original site and enters your bloodstream. Causing a severe infection that runs through your system affecting your blood vessels, and causing a great dealing in your blood pressure
- Anaphylactic shock is at times a fatal allergic reaction that is seen in individuals who are sensitive to drugs, certain foods, or go through any shock that causes breathing issues, itching, swollen throat, hives, and a dramatic fall in blood pressure
These are some of the many underlying causes of low blood pressure. Set to help you understand the impact low blood pressure can have on your overall health and well being. To ensure you lead a healthy life, we suggest keeping a close eye on your blood pressure levels and maintaining a lifestyle that keeps you at bay from low or high blood pressure.
Yours in self-care,
Adrian Wilk
