Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is when blood pressure drops below 90/60 mmHg. While high blood pressure gets more notice, low blood pressure can be just as risky, causing dizziness, fainting, and even shock in serious cases.
Many overlook its warning signs until serious symptoms show up. Spotting these early signs can prevent problems and improve your well – being.
Warning Signs of Low Blood Pressure
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Especially when standing up quickly, as blood doesn’t reach the brain fast enough, causing a short – term lack of oxygen.
- Tiredness and Headaches: Low blood pressure reduces oxygen to the brain, leading to mental fog, tiredness, and sluggishness.
- Paleness, Cold Extremities, and Excessive Sweating: When blood pressure drops, the body redirects blood to vital organs, reducing circulation to the skin. The body tries to regulate temperature, resulting in these symptoms.
- Blurred Vision: Hypotension can reduce blood flow to the eyes, making it hard to see clearly.
- Digestive Issues: It affects the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort as blood is diverted from digestion, slowing the process.
- Fast Heartbeat and Shallow Breathing: To make up for low blood pressure, the heart beats faster, leading to palpitations and shallow breathing as the body tries to send more oxygen to the brain and organs.
- Fainting: In severe cases, low blood pressure can cause fainting, which may lead to dangerous falls and injuries. Seek medical help right away if fainting is frequent or lasts a long time.
If you or someone you know has long – lasting fainting, extreme weakness, or signs of shock (weak pulse, confusion, cold skin), call for emergency medical help immediately.
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