Low Blood Pressure ? Why is Your Blood Pressure Low?

Why is your blood pressure low?

As a doctor with an interest in the subject, I'm often asked if a low blood pressure is normal or if such a reading indicates some abnormal process in the body? In fact ? it can be difficult to precisely define what we mean by low blood pressure. It all really depends on what's normal for you as an individual.

If 1000 people had their blood pressure measured then we might expect to find a spread of readings. These might range from as high as 200 / 120 down to 80 / 50 with most people clustering around a level of around 130 / 85. Most of these people would have no symptoms of any kind ? no matter what their blood pressure reading actually was. Even those with obviously low blood pressure would be free of any symptoms in most cases.

The answer to whether it is normal or abnormal to have a low blood pressure depends on what your own typical or average blood pressure reading is.

Here's an example of when it's normal to have low blood pressure.

If, for the whole of your life, you've always had blood pressure readings of around 90 / 50 - then without doubt you have "low blood pressure" but there is truly nothing wrong with you or with your blood pressure reading. You should be pleased that your risk of stroke or heart attack will be much less than many others. You're not likely to experience any symptoms from your "low blood pressure." Putting it simply - your blood pressure is normal for you and needs no investigation or treatment. This kind of "normal low blood pressure" will not cause you any symptoms and will need no treatment. It's just part of you and how your system works.

So, when might low blood pressure be an abnormal finding?

If your blood pressure is usually around 130 / 80 and suddenly or gradually drops to a level around 90 / 50 then it's very likely that you'll become aware of symptoms related to this change. As in the above example you have "low blood pressure" but in this instance it is not normal for you to have readings this low. You may need to see your doctor for tests because it's quite likely that some other disease or perhaps a medication has caused your blood pressure to drop. Someone who develops low blood pressure like this will often experience symptoms such as those listed below.

The symptoms of an abnormally low blood pressure can include:

Feeling light headed, feeling dizzy, being tired or feeling fatigue on exertion, fainting, transient blurring of vision, or transient confusion. All of these low blood pressure symptoms will resolve if the blood pressure returns to normal.

The following are among the many possible causes of low blood pressure when it is abnormally low:

Medications for anxiety, medications for blood pressure, heart medications, diuretics or "water tablets" and some anti-depressant medications. Other medication related causes are painkillers and alcohol ? particularly if these two are mixed together!

Non medication causes of include dehydration, heart disease and heart valve disease, recent heart attack, changes in heart rhythm, bacterial infection in the system, kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus and haemorrhage or bleeding.

As you can see, the above list of the causes of low blood pressure is extensive and you should consult with your doctor if you are concerned in any way. Above all ? don't try to diagnose your own condition ? seek help if you are worried. Low blood pressure is not likely to do you any serious harm but it can leave you feeling pretty miserable.

Gordon Cameron MD is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has a special interest in blood pressure problems in general and in low blood pressure in particular.

Follow these links to his website for more information about low blood pressure or about high blood pressure treatment.

---

SUPERLASIK- Enhance Your Vision; Safer Than LASIK

Things are moving forward and new and advanced procedures are being developed for those who originally could not receive the standard Lasik procedure. Dr. Khanna has introduced... Read More

Lunesta Side Effects

Before you decide to buy Lunesta, make sure you have read over all pertinent information about how Lunesta works, and what side effects you might experience.Let's go... Read More

Fifteen Ways to Fight Heel Pain

There are many different causes of heel pain, but the most common cause is plantar fasciitis (plan * tar fash* ee * I * tis). If you... Read More

Health Information: Coping With Stomach Ulcers

Do you suffer from ulcers?If yes, what kind is it and how do you cope?In American society where most people depend on junk food, ulcers can become... Read More

Doc, My Tummy Aches and My Joints Hurt! Is there a connection?

Inflammatory disease of the bowel- regional enteritis (Crohn's disease) and ulcerative colitis- are often associated with arthritis. This occurs because inflammation in the bowel and the joints... Read More

Heel Pain - Ten Tips for Treatment

The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis (plan * tar fash* ee * I * tis). If you experience a sharp pain in your... Read More

Lunesta Tolerance

Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a revolutionary sleep aid, Lunesta is the only medication approved by the FDA for long term treatment of... Read More

Latest Medical Spa Equipment Showcased at New York Medical Spa Expo

This year, the New York Medical Spa Expo confirmed the Medical Spa industry is continuing to grow. "Not only did thousands of Spa and Medical Spa owners... Read More

Bee Propolis: Synergisitc Health Care for the 21st Centruy

For well over a century modern science has progressed at a startling rate. With this increase in knowledge has come medicinal and healthcare benefits that have seen... Read More

Mend Your Arthritis Pain Relief

=====KNOW YOUR ARTHRITIS=====Arthritis is referred to as the nation?s number one crippling disease and the most common chronic disease in people over 40, arthritis affects more than... Read More

Lunesta FAQ: Things To Know Before You Buy Lunesta Online

When was the last time you enjoyed a good night's sleep? I'm talking about feeling tired, heavy, and relaxed - the times when you might say "wow!... Read More

Root Canal Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

OverviewA diseased or injured nerve use to mean that you were likely to lose a tooth. This is no longer the case thanks to root canal therapy.... Read More

Vioxx Side Effects : Are You Suffering?

Have you ever taken the drug Vioxx or celebrex? In September 2004 the drug manufacturer Merck decided to recall the product after long term data suggested a... Read More

Meridia Lawyer: Meridia Diet Pill Side Effects

Following the recall of Fen-Phen and Redux in 1999 (two diet drugs that cause heart valve diseases) Meridia was released. Meridia is a diet drug similar to... Read More

The Right Medical Equipment For You Home Or Practice!

Quality, dependable Medical Equipment is an important component of every medical practice. It can't be overstated that while the practice of medicine is an art, Medical Equipment... Read More

Bextra and Vioxx -- Alternative Medications Have Warnings, Too

At the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, the drugs Vioxx and Bextra have both been voluntarily withdrawn from the market by their manufacturers. Studies show... Read More

The True Meaning of Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is a type of therapeutic practice that is not considered to be a part of traditional or conventional medical treatment. People use alternative medicine instead... Read More

Emotional Effects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome sufferers often find that they have to deal with two sets of symptoms. The physical symptoms of diarrhea, constipation and pain form the main... Read More

Cetyl Myristoleate Seperating Fact From Fiction

I am a strong believer in Cetyl Myristoleate for the treatment of arthritis. For the last three years I have been researching and writing about Cetyl Myristoleate.... Read More

Vioxx Recall leads to Vioxx Lawsuits

Vioxx is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammagory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation, pain, fever, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis stiffness, and menstrual pain. However, Vioxx has been shown to cause... Read More

Seroquel Side Effects: Effects of Seroquel Worth the Risk?

Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used to treat hallucinations, delusions and confusion caused by psychotic conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Atypical antipsychotics... Read More

Are Drug Companies Destroying The U.S. Health Care System?

The U.S. government's annual bill for healthcare spending ? $3,925 per person ? significantly exceeds that of all other nations. Despite this, our current health care system... Read More

At Last! Good News For Gout Sufferers!

Gout, an arthritis affliction with its roots in antiquity, has not always been easy to treat. The traditional medicines employed for gout have been non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs... Read More

Considerations in Distance Education for the Medical Assistant Instructor

Medical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands of a new generation of students in the twenty first century. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School distance... Read More

Clinton on South Beach Diet

Clinton's recent quadruple bypass surgery has been largely debated. Being on the South Beach Diet made everybody wonder how the former president's illness advanced so much as... Read More

Kids and Medication Part II

In continuation of mood enhancement drugs for kids and adolescents, we next discuss the issues of Prozac. Of course there is the other favorite drug Prozac which... Read More