Here at Activebeat, we talk a lot about the dangers of high blood pressure, or hypertension. However, we don’t often mention low blood pressure, or hypotension, with the same tone of caution. While lowering blood pressure may be a goal for those at risk of heart disease and stroke—low blood pressure can indicate an underlying health issue such as a heart problem, thyroid condition, or a neurological disorder, and begin with symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and scary bouts of fainting.
Let’s learn more about the symptoms, common causes, and treatments for low blood pressure…
1. When is Blood Pressure Considered Low?
Blood pressure (high or low) refers to the force of blood, as the heart pumps, on the artery walls. Blood pressure readings vary from patient to patient. For instance, low blood pressure in athletes or regular exercisers can be an indication of prime health.
The Mayo Clinic stipulates that hypotension (or low blood pressure) exists when blood pressure reads 90 mm Hg (which is millimeters of mercury) or less in systolic blood pressure and 60 mm Hg or less diastolic blood pressure. Or less than 90 mm Hg (as the top number) and less than 60 mm Hg (as the bottom number) on your blood pressure reading. However, low blood pressure is only concerning if accompanying symptoms (i.e., dizziness, fainting) exist.
