Credits: Social Media
Low blood pressure can be a ‘silent’ but almost ‘deadly’ killer
We see many reminders on the dangers of high blood pressure, but not enough on what can happen when your readings are too low. Many people suffer with low blood pressure, and it can feel like a minefield trying to get your head around what’s good for your health.
Blood pressure that’s too low may be less dangerous and life-threatening than its high counterpart, but that doesn’t mean you should disregard it altogether. Low blood pressure can still pose health risks and often has no obvious symptoms – which makes it even deadlier.
Low blood pressure risk increases with age
Low blood pressure is a condition, also known as hypotension, in which the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is too low. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body may not get enough blood.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, low blood pressure is a reading lower than 90/60 mm Hg. However, what is considered low blood pressure for one person might be normal for someone else.
It is possible that low blood pressure may cause no noticeable symptoms, but the effects can be life-threatening.
Causes of low blood pressure include dehydration and other serious medical conditions.
Since low blood pressure is common without any symptoms, it is impossible to know how many people it affects.
However, orthostatic hypotension seems to be more common as you get older. Cleveland Clinic explains an estimated 5% of people have it at age 50, while the number climbs to more than 30% in people over 70.
A TikTok video by Scottish GP Doctor Martin McKee dives into low blood pressure, reminding viewers that the perfect textbook blood pressure is 120/80.
High blood pressure is defined as an average home blood pressure reading of 135 over 85, and, technically, the definition of low blood pressure is 90/60.
Look out for scary signs of low blood pressure
Dr Martin explains that people are usually unaware they have low blood pressure, and normally, they tend to have slight symptoms before realizing they have the condition.
Symptoms include dizziness, light-headed feelings, and fainting episodes. This might be worse when you’re changing position (perhaps going from lying to sitting or sitting to standing), or after you’ve eaten or been to the toilet.
Your blood pressure can drop if you are very unwell with a significant infection, or if you’ve had any significant blood loss. In the circumstance of a large bleed, doctors send patients straight to the hospital.
In other circumstances, dehydration or medication for high blood pressure can cause low blood pressure, perhaps if the dose is too much.
As people age, their blood pressure generally lowers a little bit as they become less active. It is possible people develop autonomic dysfunction as they get older, which is when the nervous system begins not to regulate things.
Patients with anemia, particularly in menstruating women if they experience heavy menstrual loss, could be the reason behind low blood pressure symptoms.
Other hormone disorders, such as Addison’s disease (affected by low cortisol levels) can lower blood pressure.
Dr Martin says patients are generally investigated by examining and finding more about their history, and doing things like blood tests and even a heart tracing in case electroactivity of the heart is involved.
Dr Martin McKee is a general practitioner who studied Medicine at the University of Glasgow, with previous experience working in Community Pharmacy.
