Low blood pressure is generally considered a sign of good health, but in some cases, it can be unhealthy and carry risks. Very low blood pressure can cause organ failure and lack of oxygen can cause fainting. Low blood pressure can also be a symptom of life-threatening conditions. Diagnosis requires a blood pressure reading below 90/60 and other signs. Treatment involves addressing underlying causes and medication if necessary.
For the most part, low blood pressure, or hypotension, is considered a sign of good health. This is because higher blood pressure puts more pressure on the heart and circulatory system. For this reason, people who have low blood pressure are usually at a lower risk of kidney disease, stroke and heart disease. In some cases, however, low blood pressure may not be healthy and, like high blood pressure, carries some risks.
With very low blood pressure, the brain, heart and other vital organs may not be getting enough blood. Ultimately, this can cause these organs to fail and even become permanently damaged. Lack of oxygen can also cause a person to faint, particularly when they get up or sit up too quickly after going to bed. This type is usually referred to as orthostatic hypotension.
Low blood pressure can also be a symptom of a variety of conditions, some of which are life-threatening. These include dehydration, shock, advanced diabetes, heart failure, heart attack and anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response. While low blood pressure doesn’t cause these conditions, it can sometimes be the first sign of them.
For a person to be diagnosed with low blood pressure, their blood pressure must be below 90/60. Normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60 and 120/80. It’s possible that only one of these numbers is below the normal range, and in such cases, your blood pressure can still generally be considered low.
Regardless of the blood pressure reading, medical professionals usually do not diagnose a person with low blood pressure unless they are showing other signs or problems associated with the condition. Some of these signs include dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting for no apparent reason. Since blood pressure low enough to cause health problems is usually caused by other health problems, the first treatment plan is to treat the underlying cause. If there is no underlying cause, some medications may be prescribed to regulate blood pressure.
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