Low Blood Pressure Readings

If you have a low blood pressure reading, you should know that you may be prone to developing health risks. This condition, also called hypotension, appears when there is less pressure against the wall of the arteries; less blood and oxygen is then pumped to the vital organs such as the heart and the brain.

On any blood pressure reading, you will notice there are two numbers side by side or one on top of the other. The first/top number is the value of your systolic pressure, while the second/lower number refers to the diastolic blood pressure. The first one refers to the amount of pressure registered when the heart is pumping out blood, while the second number is the value of pressure between each heart beat.

Hypotension is usually registered when the low pressure reading is of 90/60 or less; however, it is important to note that what is considered low pressure will vary from individual to individual, taking into account factors such as age, fitness level and height. For example people age 50 or more will have higher systolic blood pressure (which may need to be controlled) and lower diastolic blood pressure.

Hypotension, you see, can appear as we get into certain stages in life, like for example pregnancy. Pregnant women will develop this drop of pressure during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, this is considered normal as the body changes and blood starts circulating in new vessels. Other causes of low blood pressure readings include severe infection, dehydration (very common by the way), severe allergic reactions, blood loss, endocrine problems, lack of appropriate nutrients in the diet and endocrine problems.

A reading of this kind can also be the result of the use of certain medications. Although we sometimes use medications to be cured, the truth is that a majority of them bring side effect that affect us in other areas of our lives. Medications that can induce an hypotension problem include diuretics, alpha and beta blockers, antidepressants, hypertension medications and certain drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease.

A sudden drop of blood pressure may prove to be extremely dangerous for your health, and you don't even need a reading for this. If you feel dizziness or fainting, classic symptoms of hypotension issues, you should seek medical attention quickly. In some cases sudden drops of this kind can lead to negative effects in the nervous system and even to fatal consequences.

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