- Heart Health
- High Blood Pressure
Also known as hypotension
Medically reviewed byAnisha Shah, MD
Updated on June 27, 2023
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, occurs when blood flows through your blood vessels at pressures that are lower than normal. Low blood pressure is primarily a concern if it produces symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, blurry vision, or fatigue, or if you have a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Understanding Low Blood Pressure
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure can be caused by factors like dehydration or medications, or it can be related to an underlying condition, such as heart problems, hormone issues, pregnancy, or neural conditions. There are three primary types: orthostatic hypotension, neurally mediated hypotension, and severe hypotension related to shock, which is a medical emergency.
Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Low Blood Pressure
What is considered low blood pressure?
If your blood pressure is consistently below 90/60 mm Hg, be sure to talk to your doctor, though it's important to remember that everyone's different. What's normal for you may be considered low for someone else.
What is a dangerously low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure is usually only considered a problem if it's causing symptoms, such as dizziness, blurry vision, feeling faint, or confusion. However, if your blood pressure drops suddenly, it could be related to shock, which can be dangerous and is a medical emergency. Other symptoms of shock include weak pulse, clammy skin, rapid breathing, and loss of consciousness.
Learn MoreSymptoms of Low Blood Pressure
How can you raise low blood pressure?
In many cases, drinking plenty of water, increasing your salt intake, avoiding alcohol, and wearing compression stockings can help rebalance your blood pressure. You may also need to avoid standing for extended periods of time, or trying not to change positions (like going from sitting to standing) too quickly. In other cases, medication may be warranted to raise your blood pressure to more stable levels.
Learn MoreHow Low Blood Pressure Is Treated
Is low blood pressure bad?
Generally speaking, low blood pressure is only problematic if it occurs suddenly or when it's a result of an underlying disease or condition. If you're concerned about your blood pressure, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Symptoms
Key Terms
Blood Pressure
The force of blood that pushes against artery walls every time the heart beats. Blood pressure is often measured alongside the vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate) and is used to detect or monitor medical issues. Readings contain two numbers: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Diastolic Pressure
Diastolic pressure is the lower/bottom number in your blood pressure reading. It's defined as the pressure within the arteries between heartbeats, when the heart is at rest. Diastolic hypotension may be seen with dehydration or abnormal bleeding.
Understanding Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A noninvasive diagnostic test that involves electrodes placed on the chest to record and analyze the heart's rhythm, and look for potential problems in blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle.
What Is an Electrocardiogram (ECG)?
Hypotension
The medical term for low blood pressure. The prefix "hypo" means low. Hypotension is the opposite of hypertension, or high blood pressure.
How Low Blood Pressure Is Diagnosed
Shock
A medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to your organs and tissues becomes severely diminished. There are several causes of shock, including traumatic blood loss and sudden heart failure. Often, the first noticeable symptom is loss of consciousness, and immediate medical intervention is required to prevent the condition from progressing quickly.
What Is Shock?
Systolic Pressure
Blood pressure is divided into two measurements: systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure is the pressure exerted when blood is ejected into arteries from the heart (when the heart contracts). It's the higher/top number in your blood pressure reading. Systolic hypotension may be seen with dehydration, major bleeding, or if the heart becomes too weak to efficiently pump blood.
Understanding Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
Tilt Table Test
A noninvasive procedure that monitors your blood pressure and other vital signs while you change positions from lying down to standing. As part of the test, you'll be strapped to a table that rotates 70 degrees from lying down flat to standing position. It's often used to determine the cause of fainting (syncope) when other causes have been ruled out.
What Is Tilt Table Testing?
Treatment
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Page Sources
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American Heart Association. Low blood pressure: when low is too low. Updated October 31, 2016.
