When is blood pressure too low and dangerous

When is blood pressure too low and dangerous

Do you frequently experience dizziness as a symptom of low blood pressure? Then this is the post for you to read and consider seeking medical assistance.

Low blood pressure is rarely a cause for alarm. In rare circumstances, though, it may cause shock, demanding rapid medical attention. Low blood pressure is rarely routinely treated unless it occurs in the elderly or unexpectedly. It could indicate inadequate blood circulation in the brain and limbs in people over the age of 65. If your blood pressure decreases suddenly, the brain may be deprived of oxygen, resulting in lightheadedness or dizziness. Let’s look at what low blood pressure numbers are.

What Is Low Blood Pressure?

The pressure in your arteries, the vessels that transport blood from your heart to your brain and the rest of your body, is referred to as blood pressure. For blood to move throughout the body, a precise level of pressure is required. 180/120 is the highest blood pressure before death.

While it is considered normal when it is less than 140/90mmHg (ideal blood pressure is 120/80mmHg), a blood pressure of 90/60mmHg or less is considered the lowest blood pressure before death.

But is low blood pressure bad?

When Is It a Cause for Concern?

Can you die from low blood pressure? Should we be concerned, and when? A person with low blood pressure may be unaware that it is low because it does not always generate symptoms. Furthermore, there is no defined point at which it becomes dangerously low blood pressure or the lowest heart rate before death, as this varies from person to person.

Some people live long term in low blood pressure ranges while being healthy. According to the American Heart Association(AHA), most doctors will consider chronic low blood pressure 50/30 dangerous only if additional symptoms accompany it.

Severe symptoms that come unexpectedly should also be taken seriously.

Although symptoms may be subjective, they include:

  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Having difficulties concentrating
  • Fainting
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Dehydration
  • Despondency
  • Pale, clammy skin
  • Fast, shallow breathing

A medical emergency can occur when blood pressure is exceedingly low or rapidly drops. Extremely low blood pressure drops, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), can put the body’s organs at risk of not receiving enough blood, which can lead to shock.

Some alarming symptoms in a person with a low bp range include:

  • Breathing quickly and shallowly
  • Loss of consciousness due to a very weak but quick pulse, chilly, clammy skin, and loss of awareness
  • The skin has a blue hue

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical assistance before their death due to low blood pressure.

What Could Be the Cause?

A low BP of 70/30 can be caused by a variety of underlying illnesses and other health difficulties. These are some examples:

  • Pregnancy blood loss, dehydration, and vitamin deficits
  • Some drugs cause internal bleeding
  • Heart issues
  • Endocrine problems
  • Serious infections, such as septic shock or a bloodstream infection.
  • Allergic reactions that lead to anaphylactic shock
  • Long periods of lying down

When is low blood pressure an emergency? A person with any or a combination of these ailments should see a doctor on a regular basis to monitor their health concerns and their impact on blood pressure.

Can We Control It?

Low blood pressure is usually not too concerning unless it drops dangerously low and causes symptoms. Managing any diseases that affect blood pressure may aid in preventing it from falling too low.

People on blood pressure medications, for example, should monitor their dosage and blood pressure to ensure that their readings do not go too low.

They should visit a doctor if their blood pressure begins to fall lower than usual. The doctor may want to change the prescription or check for any interactions with other medications that the patient is taking.

Managing other individual risk factors associated with underlying disorders may also benefit in the prevention of low blood pressure.

Summed Up

Low blood pressure can occur without the presence of a medical problem, and in many circumstances, it is not too concerning. People who have chronic low blood pressure 80/50 may need to collaborate with their doctor to find treatment for any symptoms that arise.

If your blood pressure is really low and you are experiencing serious symptoms like shock, you should seek emergency medical attention.

If a person is suffering other unpleasant symptoms as a result of low blood pressure, they should consult with a doctor for advice on how to keep their blood pressure within safe ranges.

For more information on medical issues, check out the rest of the All American Hospice blog!

Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure (less than 90/60).

A blood pressure reading appears as two numbers. The first and higher of the two is a measure of systolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood. The second number measures diastolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 (systolic/diastolic). In healthy people, low blood pressure without any symptoms is not usually a concern and does not need to be treated. But low blood pressure can be a sign of an underlying problem -- especially in the elderly -- where it may cause inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs.

When is blood pressure too low and dangerous
Chronic low blood pressure with no symptoms is almost never serious. But health problems can occur when blood pressure drops suddenly and the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply. This can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. Sudden drops in blood pressure most commonly occur in someone who's rising from a lying down or sitting position to standing. This kind of low blood pressure is known as postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension. Another type of low blood pressure can occur when someone stands for a long period of time. This is called neurally mediated hypotension. 

Postural hypotension is considered a failure of the cardiovascular system or nervous system to react appropriately to sudden changes. Normally, when you stand up, some blood pools in your lower extremities. Uncorrected, this would cause your blood pressure to fall. But your body normally compensates by sending messages to your heart to beat faster and to your blood vessels to constrict. This offsets the drop in blood pressure. If this does not happen, or happens too slowly, postural hypotension results and can lead to fainting.

The risk of both low and high blood pressure normally increases with age due in part to normal changes during aging. In addition, blood flow to the heart muscle and the brain declines with age, often as a result of plaque buildup in blood vessels. An estimated 10% to 20% of people over age 65 have postural hypotension.

The cause of low blood pressure isn't always clear. It may be associated with the following:

What Causes a Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure?

Sudden drops in blood pressure can be life-threatening. Causes of this type of hypotension include:

Who Gets Postural Hypotension?

Postural hypotension, which is low blood pressure when standing up suddenly, can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons, such as dehydration, lack of food, or being overly fatigued. It can also be influenced by genetic make-up, aging, medication, dietary and psychological factors, and acute triggers, such as infection and allergy.

Postural hypotension occurs most frequently in people who are taking drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension). It can also be related to pregnancy, strong emotions, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), or diabetes. The elderly are particularly affected, especially those who have high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Hypotension after meals is a common cause of dizziness and falls after eating. This is most common after large meals containing a lot of carbohydrates. It’s believed to be caused by blood pooling into the vessels of the stomach and intestines.

Several drugs are commonly associated with postural hypotension. These medications can be divided into two major categories:

  • Drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  • Drugs that have hypotension as a side effect, including nitrates, erectile dysfunction medications, drugs for Parkinson's disease, antipsychotics, neuroleptics, anti-anxiety agents, sedative-hypnotics, and tricyclic antidepressants

Common causes of naturally occurring postural hypotension include:

  • Dehydration and electrolyte loss, which may result from diarrhea, vomiting, excessive blood loss during menstruation, or other conditions
  • Age-associated decline in blood pressure regulation, which may be worsened by certain health conditions or medications

Certain diseases can also cause postural hypotension. These include:

  • Central nervous system disorders, such as Shy-Drager syndrome or multiple system atrophy
  • Nerve problems, such as peripheral neuropathy or autonomic neuropathy
  • Cardiovascular disorders
  • Alcoholism
  • Nutritional diseases