Low Blood Pressure Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Low blood pressure is identified as a blood pressure that is lower than the level that would be expected for any particular individual. Signs of low blood pressure include fainting, as well as dizziness, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, palpitations and chest pain.



As blood is pumped around the body by the heart, it exerts a certain force against the walls of the arteries during its passage. The measure of this force is what blood pressure is. The expression of this measure is shown in two numbers, such as 120/80 millimetres of mercury, which display the top blood pressure during when your heart contracts and the lowest pressure between heart beats. Having a high blood pressure can be dangerous and make us more susceptible to certain diseases, and although having a low blood pressure is generally deemed an aspect of having good health, having a blood pressure that is too low is also unsafe.



Low blood pressure isn’t always something that people have constantly. Some sudden drops in blood pressure can result in fainting, and this can occur in instances such as standing too long in hot sun, undergoing pain, and even through emotional triggers. The brief drop in blood pressure as the body tries to cope with whatever else is going on can make you faint, but these tend to be one off circumstances. If you experience the symptoms listed above without being under noticeably difficult physical or mental circumstances, however, you may have low blood pressure as your body is not working the way it should.

If you visit your GP and are diagnosed with low blood pressure, some treatments and preventative measures you are advised to try could include standing up slowly, drinking lots of fluids, wearing compression stockings and eating a lower carb diet. Medicines you may receive can help increase the amount of salt in your body or make your veins constrict in order to help the pressure rise.



Having some symptoms of low blood pressure is fairly normal for some people, but if you notice that symptoms are occurring with you regularly and are more distressing than a slight dizziness when you stand up, it’s a good idea to head to your doctor and see what help you may benefit from. There are several ways you can cope better with this condition and a few things you can try to ease off the symptoms, allowing you to be more comfortable.



The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Bupa. The contents of this article are of a general nature only and do not constitute specific advice.  This article does not take into account your circumstances or needs and must not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice.