sorry for all the questions--- low blood pressure

[cynthia]

are there any symptoms (indications) when your blood pressure is too low?? what reading is considered too low??

[karen]

For me my cardiologists keeps my blood pressure low. Usually 96 over 42 to 45. I find if it goes lower than that I get extremely tired. Low on energy.

[Burton Borrok]

Hello again,
The symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension) are dizziness, lightheadedness, and syncope (passing out).

When the blood pressure is too low, there is inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. A blood pressure level that is borderline low for one person may be normal for another. The most important factor is how the blood pressure changes from the normal condition. Most normal blood pressures fall in the range of 90/60 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg, but a significant change, even as little as 20 mm Hg, can cause problems for some people.

Low blood pressure is commonly caused by drugs such as the following – Medications used for surgery, Anti-anxiety agents, Treatment for high blood pressure, Diuretics, Heart medicines, Some antidepressants, Narcotics (analgesics), and Alcohol.

Other causes of low blood pressure include the following: Dehydration, Heart failure, Heart attack, Changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmias), Fainting, Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic response), Shock (from severe infection, stroke, anaphylaxis, major trauma, or heart attack), or Advanced diabetes.

Another common cause type of low blood pressure is orthostatic hypotension, which results from a sudden change in body position, usually from lying down to an upright position.

Hope that’s what you were concerned with.
Burt

[Burton Borrok]

Hi Karen,
I don’t know why your cardiologist wants your blood pressure that low – but he may have a perfectly good reason. My cardiologist wants to keep my diastolic pressure either at sixty or in the sixties. He has said that if it goes to forty or below I could get into trouble – and you’re skating on the edge of that. No wonder you start to feel funky when your blood pressure dips a little.
Burt

[karen]

It has something to do with how thick the muscle is and how much my heart has to work if the pressure is up higher.

[mflanagn]

My kids' PC wants their blood pressure's below 100 systolic and 60s diastolic.

Also, make sure when you take your blood pressure, you have the correct size cuff and that you take it the correct way. If you have a cuff too big for your arm you will get a lower reading and if you take it with a cuff too small for your arm it will be too high. The BP cuffs and the Walmart's and places like that aren't as accurate as if you go to the free BP screenings the hospitals have.