While low blood pressure doesn’t generally pose as much of a risk as high blood pressure, excessively low blood pressure certainly isn’t ideal either. Very low blood pressure can cause several unwanted symptoms which, if left untreated, can lead to further problems. It’s impossible to know what a blood pressure reading is without being monitored. However, there are some symptoms to watch out for which may indicate low blood pressure.



What is blood pressure 

The heart works like a pump which is constantly pumping blood around the body via the blood vessels to reach all parts of the body. Blood pressure is a measure used to calculate the force of blood being pumped against the blood vessel walls. The measure of blood flowing out from the heart is called ‘systolic’ blood pressure and blood flowing back towards the heart is called ‘diastolic’ blood pressure.

Symptoms of low blood pressure

Many symptoms of low blood pressure can be attributed to other causes. For instance, feeling excessively tired and weak, or nauseous. People experiencing such symptoms are unlikely to make a connection to low blood pressure. However, these indicators may also be accompanied by one of the more usual symptoms associated with low blood pressure.

These include a sensation of dizziness, light headedness or even fainting, particularly when standing up suddenly. If these symptoms occur on a regular basis, and especially if they are accompanied by palpitations, blurred vision or confusion, it would be advisable to have a blood pressure reading taken in order to rule out other factors.

Blood pressure fluctuations 

Blood pressure fluctuates constantly, with pressure typically at its highest during the latter part of the day and lowest at around midnight. Ideally, blood pressure shouldn’t veer too far from the ideal range. So theoretically someone could, in any one day, suffer from high blood pressure at some point as well as low pressure, depending on when a measurement was taken. Therefore, to try to obtain an accurate reading, it’s best to have readings taken at the same time of day while sitting down and feeling comfortable and relaxed.

Blood pressure categories

Blood pressure readings are given showing the systolic measure first then the diastolic and this is usually written down with systolic above a line with diastolic below.

Ideal readings should measure somewhere between 120 and 129 systolic and 80 to 84 for diastolic.  Low blood pressure is a measurement where the systolic reading is below 100 and the diastolic less than 60. Measurements above 140/90 are classed as hypertension or high blood pressure, which can range from mild to severe whilst measurements below 100/60 are called hypotension or low blood pressure.

Generally, low blood pressure is looked upon as a positive health aspect and is linked to a longer lifespan in comparison with those suffering from high blood pressure. If symptoms are causing severe reactions, such as blacking out whenever standing up or excessive fatigue, then treatment should be sought. However, in many cases, low blood pressure produces no symptoms at all and shouldn’t cause any concern.