While many people know the health risks associated with high blood pressure, such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage, the problems related to low blood pressure are less well-known.
Blood pressure is a crucial indicator of the body’s functioning, as it reflects the ability to supply oxygen-rich blood to vital organs, particularly the brain.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a vital indicator of a person’s overall health. Healthcare professionals routinely measure it during medical checkups, but you can also monitor it at home using affordable and easy-to-use instruments. People with high or low blood pressure should consult with their physician and monitor it regularly at home.
The desirable blood pressure value is around 120/80 mmHg without specific conditions. However, one should always consider the individual’s medical conditions. The first number represents the systolic pressure, indicating the force with which blood is pumped into the arteries when the heart contracts. The second number is the diastolic pressure, reflecting the arterial blood pressure when the heart relaxes.
Low Blood Pressure and Its Impact
Low blood pressure is more about how one feels than a specific number because values can vary with age, health conditions, and other factors. For instance, a blood pressure reading of 90/60 mmHg may fall within the normal range for young, healthy individuals but can cause dizziness or weakness in elderly patients or those with complex health issues.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Various factors, including certain medications, can cause lower-than-normal blood pressure. If drugs are responsible, it is essential to discuss this with your doctor, who can assess the need for dosage adjustments.
Several factors influence blood pressure values, including:
- Systolic volume: the amount of blood the heart pumps with each contraction.
- Vascular tone: affected by stiffness or blockages in the blood vessels.
- Heart rate.
Various factors can cause a decrease in blood pressure. For instance, if a person has heart failure and low systolic volume, their blood pressure may drop if excess fluids are removed through diuretic medications. Other factors such as infections, paralysis, and arrhythmias affecting heart rate can also impact vascular tone and cause low blood pressure. Bradycardia (a slow heart rate) and tachycardia (a fast heart rate) can lead to low blood pressure.
When to Be Concerned About Low Blood Pressure
It is usual for blood pressure values to fluctuate throughout the day, depending on the activities performed. During physical exercise, for instance, blood pressure tends to be higher, while it decreases during rest periods as the body’s oxygen requirements vary. The autonomic nervous system regulates blood pressure, so individuals with disorders affecting this system may experience difficulties in blood pressure regulation.
If low blood pressure is accompanied by symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, or fainting, it is necessary to contact a doctor. However, if lower-than-normal blood pressure is recorded without presenting any other symptoms, there is no need to worry.
