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.
Overall, older adults should aim for lower blood pressure numbers, but a blood pressure reading of 90/60 mm Hg or lower is considered too low (hypotension). Excessively low blood pressure may cause dizziness or fainting and increase the risk of falls.
When an individual is approaching death, the systolic blood pressure will typically drop below 95mm Hg. However, this number can vary greatly as some individuals will always run low.
If a person experiences low blood pressure along with concerning symptoms — such as a loss of consciousness, mental confusion, and a weak, rapid pulse and breathing pattern — they should seek immediate medical attention.
Low blood pressure is also known as hypotension. People with a reading of around 90/60, or less, are commonly regarded as having low blood pressure. Some people who have low blood pressure experience symptoms as a result of it. There may be an underlying cause that could need treatment.
If you have cold, clammy or pale skin, rapid or shallow breathing, weak or rapid pulse or confusion, you could be suffering from extreme hypotension, which could lead to death. Call 911 immediately if you suspect you are suffering from extreme hypotension.
If your blood pressure is 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or lower, it's considered normal. Generally, if the blood pressure reading is under 90/60 mm Hg, it is abnormally low and is referred to as hypotension.
Other people experience a sudden drop in blood pressure or have low blood pressure that may be linked to a health problem. This can be dangerous, as it could mean your heart, brain, or other vital organs are not getting enough blood flow and you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke.
It can occur as a result of a heart problem, endocrine (hormonal) dysfunction, and certain medications. Sudden changes in cardiac output can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.
If low blood pressure causes lack of blood flow to the organs of the body, then those organs will start to fail. This may result in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and bowel ischemia (decreased blood supply to the small and large intestine). Shock and death are the end result of prolonged low blood pressure.
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.
Hypotension has two definitions: Absolute hypotension: Your resting blood pressure is below 90/60 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Orthostatic hypotension: Your blood pressure remains low for longer than three minutes of you standing up from a sitting position.
Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg. Having hypertension puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. In 2020, more than 670,000 deaths in the United States had hypertension as a primary or contributing cause.
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.
ELDERLY BLOOD PRESSURE RANGES
Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) updated their guidance to indicate that people age 65 and older should ideally have a blood pressure reading lower than 130/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).
A sudden drop in blood pressure may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or even lose consciousness (faint). These symptoms can come on quickly, causing falls or other injuries. Falls are a major cause of hospitalization for older adults. Older adults are more likely to experience hypotension after standing up or eating.
While some causes are harmless, in other cases it can be life-threatening. In seniors, orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure) reflex syncope (a side effect of carotid sinus syndrome), and heart disease are the most common causes of fainting.
Q. When I am monitoring my blood pressure, which number is most important — top, bottom, or both? A. 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.
Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.
If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit down or lie down for a few minutes. Or you can sit down and put your head between your knees. This will help your blood pressure go back to normal and help your symptoms go away. Follow your doctor's suggestions for ways to prevent symptoms like dizziness.
The risk of stroke increases continuously above blood pressure (BP) levels of approximately 115/75 mm Hg. Since the association is steep, and BP levels are high in most adult populations, almost two thirds of stroke burden globally is attributable to nonoptimal BP (ie, >115/75 mm Hg).
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.
As a general guide: high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg (or an average of 135/85mmHg at home) – or 150/90mmHg (or an average of 145/85mmHg at home) if you're over the age of 80.
Your ideal blood pressure is between 90/60 mmHg and120/80 mmHg. If it gets too low, then you have low blood pressure, or hypotension.