Your heart constantly pumps blood through your body, and the strength with which you push blood against the walls of your blood vessels determines your blood pressure. It can be high, normal, or low. Low blood pressure is less common than high blood pressure and is usually less dangerous. Low pressure can even be healthy, provided that it does not cause any symptoms and is not a symptom of an underlying problem such as blood loss or decreased heart function.
How does blood pressure develop?
Your blood pressure is formed by contracting the heart muscle, which pumps blood into the blood vessels. This pressure is applied to the blood walls of the blood cells. Blood pressure is expressed in two values: the upper pressure (systolic pressure) and the underpressure (diastolic pressure). The upper pressure is measured when your heart contract and pumpes blood through the arteries, while the under pressure is measured when your Heart relaxes. A normal blood pressure lies around 120/80 mmHg (suppression/low pressure).
Fluctuations in blood pressure
Your blood pressure varies constantly and is influenced by factors such as age, health, lifestyle (smoking, drinking, sleep) and weight. In children, a blood pressure of 80/45 is normal, while in the elderly, a pressure of 180/85 can still be considered normal. Blood pressure also changes due to stress, strenuous exertion, body posture, and emotions such as anxiety and anger.
When's your blood pressure going to be too low?
A blood pressure around 90/60 is usually considered low. In some people, especially young women, low blood pressure is normal and does not cause any problems. Low blood pressure only is considered too low if it causes symptoms. Low pressure without symptoms is even healthy and protects the blood vessels.
Complaints due to low blood pressure
Although low blood pressure does not always cause symptoms, the following symptoms may occur:
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Seeing stars
- Fainting
- Fatigue
These symptoms usually occur suddenly, for example when you get up quickly. Also, symptoms such as paleness, a weak pulse and dilated pupils can occur, especially in elderly or people taking medicines for high blood pressure. Extreme heat can exacerbate the symptoms because blood flows to the skin to cool the body, which reduces the blood supply to the heart and brain.
Causes of low blood pressure
- Fluid deficiency: Dehydration due to severe sweating, high fever, blood loss, severe burns, diarrhoea, or extreme heat.
- Allergic reactions: The amount of fluid in the body can be drastically reduced.
- Medicines: Especially antihypertensive agents (medicines for high blood pressure) can cause low blood pressure.
- Cardiac arrhythmias and blood flow congestion: Could also lead to low blood pressure.
Severely decreased blood pressure may indicate shock, a life-threatening situation where the pressure in the blood vessels is so low that vital body functions cannot be maintained.
What to do with low blood pressure
If you have persistent symptoms such as dizziness and fainting, it is advisable to go to your doctor. The general practitioner can measure your blood pressure and prescribe medicines to increase blood pressure if necessary. However, this does not happen often.
To reduce complaints:
- Make sure you get enough sleep.
- Drink plenty of water, especially in hot weather or disease.
- Avoid caffeine-containing beverages and alcohol.
- Eat light meals and rest after dinner.
- Get up slowly.
- Sports regularly.
- Avoid long hot baths and saunas.
If you get dizzy or faint, lie your legs up so that the blood can flow back to your brain and the symptoms usually disappear by themselves.
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