Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure means the pressure of blood in your arteries the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of your body has dropped below the level it should normally be at.
A certain amount of pressure is needed to keep blood moving properly around the body. When that pressure drops too low, you may start to notice symptoms.
Doctors consider blood pressure low when it falls below 90/60mmHg. This is also called hypotension.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes low blood pressure?
There are some things that can contribute to low blood pressure, including:
- the time of day – blood pressure falls overnight
- your age – low blood pressure is more likely as you get older
- feeling relaxed
- rest
- cold temperatures
- being fit and healthy
Low blood pressure can also be caused by:
- pregnancy
- some medical conditions, like diabetes
- some medications
- some heart conditions
- dehydration
Some people get symptoms of low blood pressure after a sudden movement like standing up. This is known as postural orthostatic hypotension.
Symptoms of low blood pressure can also happen after eating. This is known as postprandial hypotension.
Treatment
If you notice symptoms of low blood pressure, your healthcare professional will try to find out what's behind them. This helps them guide you on how to manage the underlying cause.
They may:
- consider adjusting any medicines that could be contributing to your low blood pressure
- suggest small lifestyle changes
- suggest dietary changes, including a look at how much salt you're getting
You could also try:
- standing up slowly, especially first thing in the morning
- wearing support stockings to improve circulation and raise blood pressure
- eating small, frequent meals instead of large ones
- lying or sitting down after eating
- avoiding long periods of sitting or standing
- avoiding sudden changes in posture
- stretching before you stand up, to get your heart rate and blood flow going
- drinking more water. Check with your doctor how much fluid you should have if you're on a daily fluid restriction because of a heart condition