There are different types of blood pressure: normal, low and high blood pressure (hypertension). While the most popular kind of blood pressure causing risk is high blood pressure occurring in an estimated number of 1.28 billion adults worldwide.
However, that is not the only risk causing blood pressure. Low blood pressure is also a condition to be concerned about.
This condition occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is lower than normal. It is generally considered low if the top number (systolic pressure) is below 90 and the bottom number (diastolic pressure) is below 60. In this article, we’re going to look at the symptoms, causes and risks of low blood pressure.
Symptoms of low blood pressure
There are common symptoms of low blood pressure and less common symptoms which we’ll look at in this section.
Common symptoms
- Feeling unusually tired.
- Experiencing somewhat of a spinning sensation or losing balance.
- Feeling like you might faint or pass out. You could often feel this way when you stand up too quickly.
Less common symptoms
- Feeling sick to the stomach, that is feeling nauseous.
- Having blurry vision.
- Losing consciousness or blacking out.
Cause of Low Blood Pressure
Dehydration: Losing more liquid than you drink can cause dehydration which can lead to low blood pressure. The blood is made up of different components, namely: red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that is made up of water.
Dehydration causes the body to lose water and essential electrolytes. This loss of water reduces the volume of plasma in the body. Once that happens, the overall volume of blood circulating in the body reduces. With less blood in the body, there is less fluid pushing against the walls of the blood vessels, resulting in a drop in blood pressure.
Sudden Position Changes: Changing positions like standing up too quickly can make you feel dizzy or super lightheaded.
This is because the blood needs some time to adjust and circulate in this new position. At times like this, blood pressure can drop suddenly.
Medication: There are some medications that can cause low blood pressure as a side effect. Drugs that help remove extra fluid from the body like diuretics and other medications can affect the heart and blood vessels.
Underlying medical conditions: Medical conditions like slow heartbeat, or heart failure can make it difficult for the heart to pump sufficient blood, leading to a drop in blood pressure.
Severe blood loss: Losing a lot of blood either from an injury or an accident can cause the blood pressure to drop. This is because insufficient blood doesn’t allow for proper blood circulation in the body.
Note: Low blood pressure poses a risk of falling due to dizziness to fainting, and damaging the kidney and the brain because of reduced blood flow.
Bottom Line
While the most popular kind of blood pressure causing risk is high blood pressure, low blood pressure still poses a risk. This condition occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is lower than normal. Dizziness, fatigue, and nausea are all symptoms of low blood pressure.
In addition, low blood pressure can be caused by dehydration, underlying illnesses, medication or even a sudden change of position. If you notice any of the above symptoms, it’s important to go to the nearest clinic or pharmacy for a blood pressure reading.
