How To Identify Low Blood Pressure Symptoms

Low blood pressure may be affected by several factors. People diagnosed with low blood pressure may be due to precipitating medical conditions. Unlike hypertension, low blood pressure is a physiologic problem than a disease. It is important to determine low blood pressure symptoms to find appropriate treatment to underlying causes.

The most common cause of low blood pressure is hypovolemia. Loss of blood from your body can cause decrease in blood pressure. This may be due to internal or external bleeding triggered by factors like hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Inadequate fluid intake or loss of fluid in the body can also cause hypovolemia characterized by low blood pressure symptoms.

Certain medications like diuretics and beta blockers can reduce the heart rate resulting to low blood pressure. Too much dilation of the blood vessel produces low blood pressure. Now you know the cause, how do you know you’re experiencing low blood pressure symptoms?

Individuals with low blood pressure will usually have an average BP of 90/60 mmHg. This will vary from one person to another. A drop of 20 mmHg from this baseline BP will show the following classic low blood pressure symptoms.

* Lightheadedness and/or fainting
* Changes in level of consciousness such as confusion or inability to concentrate
* Anxiety
* Alterations in breathing patterns usually fast and shallow
* Nauseated
* Cold and clammy skin
* Pale skin color
* Chest pain
* Blurring of vision (temporary)

Some low blood pressure symptoms are asymptomatic and will not need medical treatment. Mild low blood pressure is sometimes relieved by including electrolytes in their diet. Since there’s low blood output from the heart, your blood pressure will also drop. Lying on your back and raising your legs can pull blood back to the heart, chest and head.

Hypotension is still a life-threatening condition. Talk to your doctor about low blood pressure symptoms to prevent further health deterioration.