As a general guide, the ideal blood pressure for a young, healthy adult is between 90/60 and 120/80. If you have a reading of 140/90, or more, you have high blood pressure (hypertension). This puts you at greater risk of serious health conditions, such as strokes or heart attacks.
If your blood pressure reading is 90/60 or lower, you have low blood pressure. Some people have low blood pressure all the time. They have no symptoms and their low readings are normal for them. In other people, blood pressure drops below normal because of a medical condition or certain medicines.
What is hypotension? Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure (lower than 90/60 mm Hg). If your blood pressure gets too low, it can cause dizziness, fainting or death. Low blood pressure is not a condition that is usually treated except if it occurs in the elderly or occurs suddenly.
A sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous. A change of just 20 mm Hg — a drop from 110 mm Hg systolic to 90 mm Hg systolic, for example — can cause dizziness and fainting. And big drops, such as those caused by uncontrolled bleeding, severe infections or allergic reactions, can be life-threatening.
Coffee or any other caffeinated beverage can help increase your blood pressure. If you're suffering from low blood pressure, then having a cup of coffee in the morning can be an instant remedy for low blood pressure.
Heart problems or stroke: Low blood pressure can cause your heart to try to compensate by pumping faster or harder. Over time, that can cause permanent heart damage and even heart failure. It can also cause problems like deep vein thrombosis and stroke because blood isn't flowing like it should, causing clots to form.
Severe hypotension can be caused by sudden loss of blood (shock), severe infection, heart attack, or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Orthostatic hypotension is caused by a sudden change in body position. This occurs most often when you shift from lying down to standing.
Normal blood pressure in adults is less than 120/80 mmHg. Low blood pressure is a reading below 90/60 mmHg. Most forms of hypotension happen because your body can't bring blood pressure back to normal or can't do it fast enough.
Having a lower blood pressure is good in most cases (less than 120/80). But low blood pressure can sometimes make you feel tired or dizzy. In those cases, hypotension can be a sign of an underlying condition that should be treated. Hypotension in adults is defined as a blood pressure reading of lower than 90/60 .
Seek emergency care if your blood pressure reading is 180/120 or higher AND you have any of the following symptoms, which may be signs of organ damage: Chest pain. Shortness of breath. Numbness or weakness.
Causes of hypotension
Low blood pressure has many different causes including: Emotional stress, fear, insecurity or pain (the most common causes of fainting)
Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these signs of stroke appear: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.
Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are considered stroke-level, dangerously high, and require immediate medical attention.
Treating the cause of the shock often helps to raise blood pressure. For example, in anaphylactic shock, an injection of epinephrine (EpiPen) helps to quickly raise blood pressure. This can be lifesaving for someone having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, bee stings, or other allergens.
Salty foods can increase blood pressure. Try eating canned soup, smoked fish, cottage cheese, pickled items, and olives. Caffeine. Coffee and caffeinated tea may temporarily spike blood pressure by stimulating the cardiovascular system and boosting your heart rate.
Our findings indicate that symptoms of anxiety and depression are associated with decrease in blood pressure, particularly when a high symptom level can be detected over decades.
While both numbers in a blood pressure reading are essential for diagnosing and treating high blood pressure, doctors primarily focus on the top number, also known as systolic pressure.
New Blood Pressure Standards for Seniors
The ideal blood pressure for seniors is now considered 120/80 (systolic/diastolic), which is the same for younger adults. The high blood pressure range for seniors starts at hypertension stage 1, spanning between 130-139/80-89.
Do not stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider. Suggest drinking more fluids if you're dehydrated. Recommend that you wear compression stockings, which can help keep blood from collecting in your legs and prompt it to move to your upper body.
A diastolic blood pressure of somewhere between 90 and 60 is good in older folks. Once you start getting below 60, that makes people feel uncomfortable. A lot of older folks with low diastolic pressures get tired or dizzy and have frequent falls.
In general, low blood pressure will not cause additional health issues. However, it can increase the risk of falls, which is particularly dangerous for older adults. People with low diastolic blood pressure may also have an increased risk of heart failure, so people must manage it as well as possible.
Once your systolic reading reaches 130 or higher or your diastolic reading is 80 or higher, you're considered to have high blood pressure, or hypertension.