Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure occurs when the blood flow through the arteries and veins is dramatically reduced and not enough oxygen and nutrients are delivered to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys. There are different types of low blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing up from sitting or lying down), chronic hypotension and acute hypotension.
Generally, it becomes a concern when symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness or in extreme cases, shock occur. These are indications that there is not enough blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs of the body.
While the classic text book reading for normal blood pressure should fall right around 120/80 mmHg, it can be difficult to determine low blood pressure for some people since every body handles it a little differently. For some people, low blood pressure might have them feeling light headed, sluggish or headachy. Yet other people can walk around with a blood pressure so low they should be flat out without experiencing any symptoms whatsoever. They may only discover they have a low blood pressure when their blood pressure is checked for another reason.
The best rule of thumb, if you haven't experienced any of the major symptoms listed above, but you believe you have rason to be concerned, is to visit with you physician. Even small changes in blood pressure may cause adverse medical problems
Women in their 40's or younger, may find their blood pressure dipping below 90/60 mmHg during pregnancy, crash dieting or even during hot weather. Low blood pressure is usually hereditary. Slender women with overly lax blood vessel walls that do not respond well to nerve stimulation are most susceptible. Low blood pressure can be a sign in younger people of chronic fatigue syndrome. In older people it can be an indication of serious problems such as heart disease.
In addition, if you're taking medication for high blood pressure it can occasionally cause a quick drop in blood pressure that results in the same symptoms as a low blood pressure. In cases where the blood pressure drops suddenly, it isn’t actually the low blood pressure itself that causes the danger, but rather the sudden change from a higher value to a lower value.
While, low blood pressure is not a risk factor for dementia or Alzheimer's disease, healthy brain function relies on an adequate blood supply for oxygen.
The good news is low blood pressure is often associated with a long life and an old age free from illness.
Free Report
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