What is considered low blood pressure?

At what point is a person's blood pressure considered too low?

  • My mom was put on a new blood pressure medication by her doctor, and now her blood pressure is 97 over 58...I've been trying to find answers on how low can someone's blood pressure gets before it gets dangerous for them, and I haven't been getting any answers. If ANYONE can help me with this, please do! Thank you!

  • Answer:

    There is not a lot of research or studies on low blood pressure. The ninds.nih.gov site is a decent resource for health questions. With low BP- it's up to the patient to tell the doctor when they feel it is off. Some tell tale signs (not limited to the following) are: dizziness when getting up from a seated position, extreme fatigue (all of a sudden, you become aware of the effort it takes to breathe), mental slowness/confusion and/or a general lack of energy/enthusiasm (flat emotion look to the face, sometimes with dark circles under the eyes and a slight bluing of the face and/or hands). One of the things to watch out for is a less than 30 point spread between the 2 numbers - that means the heart is not pumping well. If she doesn't feel right then keep at the doctor or find a new one. I've gone through this with my parents and best friend - it's tough to find a doctor that will take it seriously but worth the effort in the long run. Good luck!

demonspa... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

It wouldve been helpful if you told your mothers age though with the assumption shes over 40, that appears quite low. Blood pressure medication I think serves to lower BP by various means. She must have taken too much resulting in a drastic drop. However if she's not experiencing symptoms of lightheadedness and fainting I dont think its a real cause for concern. Speak to your doctor and ensure shes taking the right doses

zooxat

It would depend on what your mother's blood pressure was prior to having the prescription ordered for her. Some BP meds are also ordered to help to regulate the pulse. Beta blockers. I would need to know what medication your mom was taking to give me a better handle on it. You can also have a lower pressure if you are a smaller body frame too. Hope others can offer some input for you so that you are more informed

idesiremoonlight

That is low, but if she feels ok (not lightheaded or weak) then it is probably ok. However, she should check her blood pressure frequently, if it is getting lower or she is having some of the symptoms mentioned previously, her dose may have to be decreased. Otherwise, it is great that her hypertension is controlled.

purplebutterfly

while that is pretty low, it depends. male or female, weight, age, etc. all are key factors still i would get her checked out.

JaSam

low blood pressure is dangerous when a person becomes symtomatic...meaning, they become dizzy, faint, etc. If your mother has a low BP and is functioning normally, then it's ok.

mdel

just before you die.

likeablerabbit_loose

I was at the Doctors office with an heart rythum problem. My blood pressure was checked and it was 88/44..The Dr. called an ambulance and in minutes I was on the way to the hospital. on the way I was given an IV and my pressure was like 80/40. Not so good. I remember the attendant telling the driver to hurry, with all lights, sirens and lets get this man to the hospital twenty minutes away. I was in the ER for about four hours until they got me stable. I wanted to be admitted but since I was stable the 4 cardiologist said I was alright, and that I was stable; and there was not any reason for them to keep me. What I had was Antrial Fibulation. They gave me medication to try and correct the problem, but after seeing my Dr. the next morning, off to the hospital I went again. I actually made three trips to the hospital in a four day period. Cost for Ambulance was over $4000.00 for the three trips...

virginiamayoaunt

I'm a nurse, and although that is on the low side it's not serious. How does she feel? Is she light headed or dizzy. If it got much lower there would be some concern. I'm sure that her doctor will want to review the medication fairly soon anyway. If she feels light headed or like she might faint, she should go see him sooner. God Bless Let me add... for most people that wouldn't be a concern. Everyone has a different "Low" what may be low for one person may not be low for another. That's why it's important to look at how she's feeling. Make sure she gets it reviewed in the near future by her doctor.

todieisgain_121

I looked on the American Heart Association site and found this: Question Is low blood pressure dangerous? How low is too low? Answer Blood pressure lower than 120/80 mm Hg is considered "normal," and the term “low blood pressure” is relative. (Note: Your blood pressure is usually lowest at night and rises sharply upon waking.) Low blood pressure is generally considered dangerous when it drops suddenly or is accompanied by symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting. Severely low blood pressure can indicate serious heart, endocrine or neurological disorders and can deprive the brain and other vital organs of oxygen and nutrients, leading to shock, which can be a life-threatening condition. Symptoms of low blood pressure to watch for include: Dizziness or lightheadedness Fainting (called syncope) Lack of concentration Blurred vision Nausea Cold, clammy, pale skin Rapid, shallow breathing Fatigue Depression Unusual thirst There is no specific number at which blood pressure is considered to be too low. Most doctors consider chronically low blood pressure dangerous only if it causes noticeable signs and symptoms. However, a sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous — even a change of just 20 mm Hg can cause dizziness or fainting. Some rapid falls in blood pressure indicate a deeper underlying problem such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe infections or allergic reaction. Factors that can contribute to low blood pressure: Pregnancy. During the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, it's common for blood pressure to drop. Medications. A number of drugs can cause low blood pressure, including diuretics and other drugs that treat hypertension; heart medications such as beta blockers; drugs for Parkinson's disease; tricyclic antidepressants; Viagra®, particularly in combination with nitroglycerine; narcotics and alcohol. Other prescription and over-the-counter medications may cause low blood pressure when taken in combination with high blood pressure drugs. Heart problems. Among the heart conditions that can lead to low blood pressure are an abnormally low heart rate (bradycardia), problems with heart valves, heart attack and heart failure. These are conditions in which your heart may not be able to circulate enough blood to meet your body's needs. Endocrine problems. These include an underactive or overactive thyroid (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism), adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), low blood sugar and, in some cases, diabetes. Dehydration. Fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, overuse of diuretics and strenuous exercise can all lead to dehydration, a potentially serious condition in which your body loses more water than you take in. Even mild dehydration, a loss of as little as 1 percent to 2 percent of body weight, can cause weakness, dizziness and fatigue. Blood loss. A significant loss of blood from major trauma or severe internal bleeding reduces blood volume, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure. Severe infection (septic shock). Septic shock can occur when bacteria leave the original site of an infection — most often in the lungs, abdomen or urinary tract — and enter the bloodstream. The bacteria then produce toxins that affect your blood vessels, leading to a profound and life-threatening decline in blood pressure. Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Anaphylactic shock is a sometimes-fatal allergic reaction that can occur in people who are highly sensitive to drugs such as penicillin, to certain foods such as peanuts, or to bee or wasp stings. This type of shock is characterized by breathing problems, hives, itching, a swollen throat and a sudden, dramatic fall in blood pressure. Postural (orthostatic) hypotension. In some people, blood pressure drops rapidly when standing from a sitting or prone position, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision and even fainting. Causes can include dehydration, prolonged bed rest, diabetes, heart problems and excessive heat. Medications like diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, antipsychotics, antidepressants and drugs for Parkinson’s disease can also cause this condition. In some cases, sitting for long periods of time with legs crossed or squatting can be the cause. Postprandial hypotension. A sudden drop in blood pressure after a meal usually affects older adults with high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Lowering the dose of blood-pressure-lowering medication and eating small, low-carbohydrate meals may help reduce symptoms. Neurally mediated hypotension. Unlike orthostatic hypotension, this disorder causes blood pressure to drop after standing for long periods, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fainting. This condition primarily affects young people and occurs because of a miscommunication between the heart and the brain. Nutritional deficiencies. A lack of the essential vitamins B-12 and folic acid can cause anemia, which in turn can lead to low blood pressure. When to see the doctor If you experience any dizziness or lightheadedness, you may want to see your doctor. If you have gotten dehydrated, have low blood sugar or spent too much time in the sun or a hot tub, it's more important how quickly your blood pressure drops than how low it drops. Keep a record of your symptoms and your activities at the time your symptoms occurred.

seejanerun

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.