What is low blood pressure?
Also known as: hypotension.
Low blood pressure is often perceived as preferable to high blood pressure. However, there are situations where blood pressure can become dangerously low and cause symptoms. This typically occurs when the top (systolic) reading is lower than 90 mm Hg, and the bottom blood pressure (diastolic) is lower than 60 mm Hg.
What are the types of low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure can be classified under a few different types:
- Orthostatic hypotension. This type of low blood pressure is present when blood pressure drops when you go from sitting or lying down to a standing position. It’s related to dehydration, pregnancy and certain medical conditions and is more common in older adults than children.
- Neurally mediated hypotension. This form of low blood pressure is more common in children and young adults. This may be present when blood pressure drops after standing for long periods of time.
- Postprandial hypotension. This type of hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops a couple of hours after eating. It’s common in older adults with high blood pressure or conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Multiple system atrophy with orthostatic hypotension. This condition is also known as Shy-Drager syndrome and affects functions such as breathing, digestion and heart rate. People with it often develop very high blood pressure when lying down.
What causes low blood pressure?
A number of different situations and medical conditions can cause low blood pressure. These include:
Certain medications can also cause low blood pressure.
What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?
Common symptoms of low blood pressure include:
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Fainting
In more severe instances, hypotension can be life threatening and cause:
- Rapid breathing
- Heart problems
- Shock
Reviewed by: Danyal M Khan, MD
This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM
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