Even though it is less common, low blood pressure is a concerning medical condition that leads to serious health complications including an increased risk of experiencing a heart attack and stroke.
According to health experts, 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 it extremely challenging to diagnose is that it hardly has any symptoms, and most people may not experience the signs with this reading.
Sneaky signs of hypotension
Here are five signs of low blood pressure you need to be aware of:
Constant dizziness
Many times, you may feel off-balance when you get up from a reclined or seated position, or while you are standing. Dizziness is among the most common signs of low blood pressure.
According to experts, less sodium and carbs in the body lead to lower blood volume which causes low blood pressure.
Blurry vision and headaches
Hypotension also causes severe headaches and blurry vision. According to MedlinePlus, many times when you change positions, you may suffer from orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension, in which a drop in blood pressure is experienced that occurs when you move from sitting or lying down to standing.
Experts say it occurs as blood flow back to the brain and body organs can be delayed in some individuals.
Many people also suffer from severe neck and shoulder pain.
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 go unconscious. 1
Doctors say while both men and women share similar symptoms, females easily confuse them with “symptoms many women experience from low blood sugar, undereating, not getting enough sleep, and or hormonal changes.”
Abnormal heart rate
Abnormal heart rhythms are another important symptom of low blood pressure levels. According to experts, it happens when your body has difficulty delivering oxygen-rich blood to your vital organs. 2
Due to this, your heart compensates for this by pumping blood out more quickly to help deliver needed oxygen, resulting in an increased pulse yet lower blood pressure.
Too much sweating
Low blood pressure can cause you to sweat excessively, due to an imbalance of electrolytes.
According to studies, in hot weather, loss of sodium is very rapid due to sweating, so it can lower the blood volume, leading to hypotension. 3
What causes hypotension?
According to experts, a drop in blood pressure happens many times, as your body’s internal regulation of blood flow can sometimes cause you to have lower-than-normal blood pressure.
Some people have low blood pressure all the time, without symptoms. The cause of this type of hypotension is unknown.
However, certain conditions can lead to long periods of hypotension that can become dangerous if left untreated, a few of which include:
- Pregnancy – due to an increase in demand for blood from both the pregnant person and the growing fetus
- Heart attack
- Dehydration
- Endocrine disorders like diabetes
- Prolonged bed rest
- Shock
- Large amounts of blood loss through injury
- Blood infections
