Learn About Low Blood Pressure

What is the definition of Low Blood Pressure?

Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body may not get enough blood. Normal blood pressure is mostly between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.

The medical word for low blood pressure is hypotension.

What are the alternative names for Low Blood Pressure?

Hypotension; Blood pressure - low; Postprandial hypotension; Orthostatic hypotension; Neurally mediated hypotension; NMH

What are the causes of Low Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure varies from one person to another. A drop of as little as 20 mmHg can cause problems for some people. There are different types and causes of low blood pressure.

Severe hypotension (shock) can be caused by sudden loss of blood (shock), severe infection, heart attack, or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Orthostatic hypotension means your blood pressure drops when you shift from lying down to standing. This type of low blood pressure usually lasts only a few seconds or minutes. If this type of low blood pressure occurs after eating, it is called postprandial orthostatic hypotension. This type most often affects older adults, those with high blood pressure, and people with Parkinson disease.

Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) most often affects young adults and children. It can occur when a person has been standing for a long time. Children usually outgrow this type of hypotension.

Certain medicines and substances can lead to low blood pressure, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Anti-anxiety medicines
  • Certain antidepressants
  • Diuretics
  • Heart medicines, including those used to treat high blood pressure and coronary heart disease
  • Medicines used for surgery
  • Painkillers

Other causes of low blood pressure include:

  • Nerve damage from diabetes or other disorders
  • Changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
  • Not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
  • Heart failure
What are the symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?

Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sleepiness
  • Weakness
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What are the current treatments for Low Blood Pressure?

Lower than normal blood pressure in a healthy person that does not cause any symptoms often does not need treatment. Otherwise, treatment depends on the cause of your low blood pressure and your symptoms.

When you have symptoms from low blood pressure, sit or lie down right away. Then raise your feet above heart level.

Severe hypotension caused by shock is a medical emergency. You may be given:

  • Blood or other fluids through a needle (IV)
  • Medicines to increase blood pressure and improve heart strength
  • Other medicines, such as antibiotics

Treatments for low blood pressure after standing up too quickly include:

  • If medicines are the cause, your provider may change the dosage or switch you to a different medicine. Do not stop taking any medicines before talking to your provider.
  • Your provider may suggest drinking more fluids to treat dehydration.
  • Wearing compression stockings can help keep blood from collecting in the legs. This keeps more blood in the upper body.

People with NMH should avoid triggers, such as standing for a long period of time. Other treatments include drinking fluids and increasing salt in your diet. Talk to your provider before trying these measures. In severe cases, medicines may be prescribed.

Who are the top Low Blood Pressure Local Doctors?
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

Missouri Delta Medical Center

1008 N Main St, 
Sikeston, MO 
 0.9 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Robert Perry is an Internal Medicine provider in Sikeston, Missouri. Dr. Perry has been practicing medicine for over 43 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Low Blood Pressure. His top areas of expertise are Necrosis, Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia, Atypical Pneumonia, Gastrostomy, and Hemorrhoidectomy. Dr. Perry is currently accepting new patients.

Hospital Medicine | General Surgery
Hospital Medicine | General Surgery

Missouri Delta Medical Center

1008 N Main St, 
Sikeston, MO 
 0.9 mi
Accepting New Patients

Rami Alassaad is a Hospital Medicine specialist and a General Surgeon in Sikeston, Missouri. Dr. Alassaad and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Low Blood Pressure. His top areas of expertise are Peptic Ulcer, Necrosis, Low Blood Pressure, Gastrectomy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Alassaad is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Family Medicine
Family Medicine

Missouri Delta Medical Center

1017 N Main St, 
Sikeston, MO 
 0.9 mi

Jeffrey Griesemer is a Family Medicine provider in Sikeston, Missouri. Dr. Griesemer has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Low Blood Pressure. His top areas of expertise are Necrosis, Pneumonia, Hypertensive Heart Disease, Hip Replacement, and Gastrostomy.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Low Blood Pressure?

Low blood pressure can usually be treated with success.

What are the possible complications of Low Blood Pressure?

Falls due to low blood pressure in older adults can lead to a broken hip or spine fracture. These injuries can reduce a person's health and ability to move about.

Sudden severe drops in your blood pressure starves your body of oxygen. This can lead to damage of the heart, brain, and other organs. This type of low blood pressure can be life threatening if not treated right away.

When should I contact a medical professional for Low Blood Pressure?

If low blood pressure causes a person to pass out (become unconscious), seek treatment right away. Or call 911 or the local emergency number. If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR.

Call your provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Black or maroon stools
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness
  • Fainting
  • Fever higher than 101°F (38.3°C)
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
How do I prevent Low Blood Pressure?

Your provider may recommend certain steps to prevent or reduce your symptoms including:

  • Drinking more fluids
  • Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down
  • Not drinking alcohol
  • Not standing for a long time (if you have NMH)
  • Using compression stockings so blood does not collect in the legs
What are the latest Low Blood Pressure Clinical Trials?
Rituximab Plus Cyclosporine in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

Background: * Membranous nephropathy is associated with damage to the walls of the glomeruli, the small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste products from the blood. This damage causes leakage of blood proteins into the urine and is associated with low blood protein levels, high blood cholesterol values, and swelling of the legs. These problems can decrease or go away without treatment in about 25 p...

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Overnight Trials to Compare the Effects of Controlled Heat Stress Versus Sham Control on Nocturnal Supine Hypertension in Autonomic Failure Patients

Summary: Patients with autonomic failure are characterized by disabling orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure on standing), and at least half of them also have high blood pressure while lying down (supine hypertension). Exposure to heat, such as in hot environments, often worsens their orthostatic hypotension. The causes of this are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to evaluate wheth...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: February 02, 2023
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Calkins H, Everett TH, Chen P-S. Hypotension and syncope. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 71.

Schrigern DL. Approach to the patient with abnormal vital signs. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 7.