Low Blood Pressure

[taylor1293]

I've always had low blood pressure but how low is too low? My last pressure was 97/53. I do feel light-headed at times. Is this just normal for some people?

And yes, I will be asking my doctor these questions when I see her this month for my scheduled appointment. Just wondered if anyone had input or advice on questions I should ask my doctor.

Thanks!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Anything under 90/60 is considered "hypotension" (low blood pressure). My blood pressure is usually 100/70 or so, even while pregnant.

 

[Kellydelly]

As a nurse I see BPs that are all over the map. Some people do run that low all the time and it is just their normal pressure . Of course if you are symptomatic you should see your doctor.

 

[heatherwillmom]

I am a Primary Care Provider. As already mentioned, under 90/60 is hypotension. Some people normally run low. There are many reasons that you could be running low. If you are symptomatic, I would suggest blood work to rule out any problems. It could be something as simple as dehydration. Most people do not drink enough water. Any fluid that has caffeine should not be included in your daily fluid intake since caffeine is a diuretic.

 

[IDoDis]

My blood pressure is usually low like the OP's. I don't have any symptoms, but once in a while I get dizzy when I stand up. Not all the time, just once in a while. I guess I'd rather have it be low than high. Bring on the salt!

 

[disfan07]

My blood pressure fluctuates anywhere from about 75/40 to 125/90. Last week at my first appt of the day they read it at 92/50 i think and at my second appt that afternoon they read it at 115/75.

I went to the ER once having some asthma symptoms but I was still walking, not dizzy (just a little headache that I always get with asthma symptoms) and I was talking as well. They took my blood pressure and i think I almost killed my nurse at that moment. it was something like 60/30. No indication whatsoever that it would be that low. And other than a little wheezing and chest tightness, I felt fine.

However, we do know that mine does have something to do with my heart arrythmia (Inapproproate Sinus Tachycardia). I have been having symptoms recently where if I stand up for too long I get dizzy, lightheaded and nauseaus. My cardiologist told me that I need to drink more water and eat more salt.

 

[heatherwillmom]

My blood pressure fluctuates anywhere from about 75/40 to 125/90. Last week at my first appt of the day they read it at 92/50 i think and at my second appt that afternoon they read it at 115/75.

I went to the ER once having some asthma symptoms but I was still walking, not dizzy (just a little headache that I always get with asthma symptoms) and I was talking as well. They took my blood pressure and i think I almost killed my nurse at that moment. it was something like 60/30. No indication whatsoever that it would be that low. And other than a little wheezing and chest tightness, I felt fine.

However, we do know that mine does have something to do with my heart arrythmia (Inapproproate Sinus Tachycardia). I have been having symptoms recently where if I stand up for too long I get dizzy, lightheaded and nauseaus. My cardiologist told me that I need to drink more water and eat more salt.

I had low BP in the past due to cardiac arrthmias too. The probably is most medication to regulate heart rate lowers BP. We finally got mine regulated & my BP stablized

 

[disfan07]

I had low BP in the past due to cardiac arrthmias too. The probably is most medication to regulate heart rate lowers BP. We finally got mine regulated & my BP stablized

Thats what the first thought was for one of the ER docs but than when looking back at my records, I have had low blood pressure since before I went on heart meds.

The arrhythmia I have is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system so the low blood pressure is not too big of a surprise to myself and my regular doctors. It just freaks out the ER staff and anesthesiologists.

We just know that my entire autonomic nervous system is extremely out of whack.

 

[punkin]

I am normally about 90/60 and no one has been too worried about it. I once would up in the hospital ER (food poisoning) where I kept being triaged below the gunshots and stabbings until they took my blood pressure. It's amazing how fast nurses can move when you BP is 40/something.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

My blood pressure is normally low. I am terrible at staying hydrated (caffeine addict) and every once in a while I start to feel light-headed due to it. I then lay on the floor with my feet elevated up on the sofa. It helps right away until I can rehydrate. It is definitely something to discuss with your doc as you mentioned you would.

 

[lsyorke]

My normal blood pressure is 90/50, always has been and hopefully always will be.

 

[NYEmomma]

I'm typically around 90/60... the only time I got into the average 120/80 or whatever range was when I was pregnant.

I frequently feel lightheaded and my vision starts to go black when I stand up too fast or when I go from the floor to standing... but it's just something I've gotten used to over the years. I always make sure I have something to hold onto nearby.

No one in the medical field has ever commented on it before.

 

[Acklander]

I'm usually 80/50 to 90/60. The only time it was a problem was during my pregnancies, I had a problem with premature labor and the terbutiline (sp) they gave me would drop my blood pressure much lower. It was a fine line trying to get enough to stop the labor, but not so much that they lost the bottom number.

 

[SDFgirl]

My blood pressure is usually 100/70, a few doctors/nurses have mentioned that being low, but in a good way.

 

[disfan07]

I am normally about 90/60 and no one has been too worried about it. I once would up in the hospital ER (food poisoning) where I kept being triaged below the gunshots and stabbings until they took my blood pressure. It's amazing how fast nurses can move when you BP is 40/something.

Yeah they move very very quickly when that happens...same with the doctors. A HR of 200+ and O2 sats in the 70s also gets them moving very very quickly. I was in a room, hooked up to an IV and oxygen in less than 5 minutes. I thought that was impressive.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

I have low blood pressure too.. as long as it stays where it normally hangs out, no one worries to much.

When my blood pressure goes up just a little, I feel terrible (like people do with high blood pressure.)

To increase my blood pressure to where I didn't feel so sick all the time while pregnant, I increased my salt intake a touch.

 

[Disney Doll]

BP depends on a lot of other factors.
How old are you?
Are you VERY athletic?
Any other health issues?

VERY athletic people (like marathon runners) often have very low BPs & heart rates.

I would say increase your fluid & salt intake a bit, as long as you don't have kidney disease or something.

Lightheadedness could be your BP. It could also be an ear infection, fluid in your ears, allergies, and numerous other things.

 

[taylor1293]

Thanks everyone for your responses .

Fluid intake may be an issue. I've never been one to drink a whole lot. I'll try drinking more water to see if that helps at all.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Thanks everyone for your responses .

Fluid intake may be an issue. I've never been one to drink a whole lot. I'll try drinking more water to see if that helps at all.

Drinking more water and talking to your doc sounds like a good plan. Hopefully, you will feel better soon

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I'm typically around 90/60... the only time I got into the average 120/80 or whatever range was when I was pregnant.

I frequently feel lightheaded and my vision starts to go black when I stand up too fast or when I go from the floor to standing... but it's just something I've gotten used to over the years. I always make sure I have something to hold onto nearby.

No one in the medical field has ever commented on it before.

Mine is normally low. Several years ago, I finally sucked it up and got into shape. Well, when I did, I noticed that I was nearly fainting in situations like when I took a hot shower or stood up too fast. My nurse practitioner told me at my yearly exam that it wasn't anything to be worried about it. She called it something or other but said that people who normally have v. low blood pressure sometimes "bottom" out. Mine wasn't quite low enough prior to getting fit for me to "bottom" out, but once I got into shape, it was.

Now I barely notice it. I've adjusted to it, it's no big deal. Just the way I'm made.