 Health Care Services Hospitals & Facilities Health Information Find a Doctor Why Choose Baptist |
Low Blood Pressure
|
Health Library Topics
|
|
|
|
What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels during and after each beat of the heart. Blood pressure can rise and fall with exercise, rest, or emotions. Normal blood pressure ranges up to 120/80 ("120 over 80"). The upper number (120) is the pressure when the heart pushes blood out to the rest of the body (systolic pressure). The bottom number (80) is the pressure when the heart rests between beats (diastolic pressure). What is low blood pressure? Low blood pressure (hypotension) usually means blood pressure that is lower than 90/60 in younger adults, or is low enough to cause symptoms. When blood pressure drops too low there is danger of the body not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. Breathing, movement, and brain function can be weakened and damage can occur. Low blood pressure is far less common than high blood pressure. However, some older adults develop postural or orthostatic hypotension. When they stand up, the blood tends to pool in the legs and cause very low blood pressure. (The upper number drops by 20 or the lower number drops by 10.) How does it occur? Low blood pressure can result from:
Rapid drops in blood pressure that threaten life can occur due to loss of blood, severe infections, or low body temperature due to cold exposure. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:
How is it diagnosed? Blood pressure is checked at most health care visits. Low blood pressure is usually discovered during one of these visits. Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms, what you eat and drink, and if low blood pressure runs in your family. You may have urine and blood tests. Your provider may order a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram (ECG). You may be asked to use a portable blood-pressure measuring device, which will take your pressure at different times during day and night. All of this testing is done to look for a possible cause of your low blood pressure. How is it treated? Treating the cause usually corrects the low blood pressure. For example, giving fluids will stop low blood pressure due to dehydration. If low blood pressure is caused by medicine, changing the dose of medicines may correct the problem. If a severe infection causes blood pressure to drop too low, treating the infection can return blood pressure to normal. What can I do to prevent low blood pressure? Try these tips:
Tell your health care provider if you have any symptoms after you start taking a new medicine. Regular exams by your health care provider may detect low blood pressure before it becomes a health problem.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File CRD3635F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
 Top of Page |
Baptist Online Read the latest articles about a variety of health subjects, with many practical tips to help you take control of your health.  More
|
| Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist |
| ©2009 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices. | |
 |
In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care. |