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Low blood pressure may be less common thanhigh blood pressure, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s not as concerning. In fact, theNational Heart, Lung and Blood Institutestates low blood pressure can lead to serious complications, including an increased risk of experiencing a heart attack and stroke.
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is indicated when a blood pressure reading is less than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) over 60 mm Hg. However, what makes low blood pressure challenging to diagnose is that someone may or may not experience low blood pressure symptoms with this reading.
Low blood pressure is a condition many may be struggling with without knowing. In this article, we’ve talked to medical and nutrition experts to get the facts on what signs and symptoms may indicate it. Here are five sneaky signs they want you to be aware of.
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1. Constant Dizziness
One of the symptoms people with low blood pressure may experience is constant dizziness.
Angelica Neison, M.D., CCMS, DipABLM,ABOM, notes, “I see an increase of cases with patients experiencing dizziness related to low blood pressure [due to a] decrease [in] salt and carbohydrate intakes. Because carbohydrates and sodium hang onto water, blood volume is lower, thus causing low blood pressure.” However, not every person who changes their diet will increase their risk of low blood pressure, and Neison explains that dizziness may have other causes: “Standing for prolonged periods of time without moving or compression from muscles can cause delayed blood flow back to the brain and lead to feelings of dizziness as well.”
2. Headaches and Blurry Vision
Hypotension can cause headaches and blurry vision, especially for those who suffer from hypotension related to position changes. A form of hypotension, known as orthostatic hypotension, can occur when an individual changes positions, such as going from sitting to standing, perMedlinePlus. Neison shares, “This occurs as blood flow back to the brain and body organs can be delayed in some individuals.” While this form of hypotension may lead to feeling dizzy and lightheaded in addition to headaches and blurry vision that usually passes quickly, in rare circumstances, it may also cause neck pain. If you experience prolonged pain in these areas, be sure to seek medical attention.
3. Fatigue and Lightheadedness
Those who experience low blood pressure may not receive adequate blood flow to the brain, making them feel tired, lightheaded and even faint.Melissa Azzaro, RDN, also known as The Hormone Dietitian, shares that these symptoms may be the same in females and males. However, females may easily confuse them with “symptoms many women experience from low blood sugar, undereating, not getting enough sleep, and or hormonal changes.”
While Azzaro advises clients to work with a trained dietitian or physician in hormonal health to determine what is causing the feeling of fatigue, she also shares, “In early pregnancy, low blood pressure is quite common, and one of the reasons why women may faint during the early months of pregnancy. Another time in a woman’s life when low blood pressure may become an issue, is if they are experiencing heavy bleeding or blood loss, as with a heavier than normal period.” In these life stages, blood volume changes; thus, people experience a lack of blood flow to vital organs, which is why they may experience these feelings more so than males.
4. Rapid or Abnormal Heart Rate
5. Excessive Sweating
Electrolytes are important tokeep your fluid balancedin your body. Low blood pressure can result when you have an imbalance of electrolytes, such as sodium loss due to sweating. Neison shares, “2023 was the hottest summer recorded in history. Going outside during heat waves can lead to vasodilation, sweating, loss of sodium through sweat salts, and low blood volume in vulnerable populations. This, in turn, causes low blood pressure.” When this occurs,monitoring hydrationand ensuring your blood pressure medications are appropriately dosed is crucial, especially if you take medicines for high blood pressure.
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Tips to Prevent Low Blood Pressure
Given the real complications of low blood pressure, it’s important to be proactive and implement healthy routines to keep your blood pressure as close to normal (for you) as possible. Azzaro recommends keeping these tips in mind to help manage low blood pressure:
The Bottom Line
What is considered low blood pressure with health concerns is different for each individual. While a blood pressure reading of 90 mm Hg/60 mm Hg is the technical definition of low blood pressure, not everyone with that reading will experience symptoms. If you experience signs and symptoms like dizziness, fatigue and changes in heart rate, among others, document them and seek medical attention to help identify a tailored treatment plan for your health needs.
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