We’ve all heard of the risks associated with high blood pressure. But what if your blood pressure is too low? In this article, we take a look at the symptoms and causes of low blood pressure, or hypotension, and list the measures you can take to keep low blood pressure under control.
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is a condition where the pressure of blood in the arteries is consistently lower than normal, with a reading of 90/60 or below.
Unlike hypertension, there are many symptoms of hypotension. The most common symptoms are feeling lightheaded or dizzy, but other symptoms include:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s worth taking a trip to your GP, who can measure your blood pressure, identify possible causes and advise on the best course of action. Treatment usually means treating an underlying condition or making a few simple lifestyle changes, so it’s unlikely you’ll need medication to increase blood pressure.
Other medical conditions generally cause low blood pressureLow blood pressure is generally caused by other medical conditions, or medication taken for another condition. It’s also fairly common in pregnancy. These conditions should be screened for first by your physician.
There are three types of recurrent hypotension without a specific underlying primary medical condition:
The first step is to book a doctor’s appointment so you can discuss your symptoms and have your blood pressure checked. They’ll also ask you whether there’s any known family history of low blood pressure, if you’re experiencing any significantmajor stresses or recent life changes, and whether you’re currently taking any medications, vitamins or supplements.
If your medication is causing low blood pressure, your doctor or healthcare provider health may recommend changing or stopping the medication or lowering the dose. It’s important that you don’t change or stop taking your medication without first talking to them first.
Otherwise, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following lifestyle changes to bring low blood pressure under control and ease your symptoms:
While low blood pressure isn’t talked about as much as high blood pressure, it can be disruptive and, in some cases, dangerous. If you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s always worth talking to your doctor or healthcare provider to determine the cause and discuss the changes you can make to manage the condition.