Low blood pressure
নিম্ন রক্তচাপ
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?
Several things can push your blood pressure lower. The time of day matters, because blood pressure drops overnight. Age plays a part too, and low blood pressure becomes more likely as you get older. Feeling relaxed, resting, being in cold temperatures, and being fit and healthy can all contribute as well.
Other causes include pregnancy, some medical conditions such as diabetes, some medicines, some heart conditions, and dehydration, which means your body doesn't have enough water.
Some people feel symptoms of low blood pressure after a sudden movement, like standing up quickly. This is known as postural orthostatic hypotension. Symptoms can also appear after eating, and this is known as postprandial hypotension.
Read more: Dehydration
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