Blood pressure values too low | Blood pressure values

Blood pressure values too low

Low blood pressure is known in medical terminology as arterial hypotension. Here, the blood pressure values are below 100 mmHg systolic and below 60 mmHg diastolic. Many people have low blood pressure, especially young slim women are often affected.

In addition, many of those affected are not active in sports. This is not a disease per se, but only a value deviating from the average value for the population. In most cases, hypotension is not dangerous because the blood supply to the organs is guaranteed.

Occasionally, however, those affected describe the following symptoms: dizziness, tiredness, headaches, ringing in the ears or palpitations. In rare cases, low blood pressure can be dangerous, e.g. if it leads to fainting or is due to a disease. There are 3 different causes of low blood pressure: One should not forget that various drugs can also cause a lowering of blood pressure as a side effect.

This also applies to medication taken for high blood pressure, and the dosages may have to be adjusted. – Primary hypotension is the form in which no exact cause for low blood pressure is known (idiopathic). – In secondary hypotension, low blood pressure is the result of another disease.

Diseases that can lead to this are Addison’s disease (a disease of the adrenal cortex), hypothyroidism, infections, cardiovascular diseases and various other diseases. Severe fluid loss such as diarrhoea and vomiting or heavy bleeding can also lead to low blood pressure. – The third form is orthostatic hypotension.

This is caused by the change of body position from lying or sitting to standing. Part of the blood in the veins of the legs is lost and the return flow to the heart is reduced. This causes the blood pressure to drop.

Those affected can pass out (syncope). To clarify this, a so-called Schellong test is carried out in the clinic. The blood pressure and pulse are repeatedly measured while lying down and then when standing up abruptly. If orthostatic hypotension is detected in a patient, the patient should move his feet in circles before each change to the upright body position in order to activate the muscle pump. In addition, he should stand up slowly, hold on tightly and make sure that he has sufficient fluid intake throughout the day.

What is the reason for strongly fluctuating blood pressure values?

In the daily profile, blood pressure is subject to typical physiological fluctuations. In the morning (around 8-9 o’clock) a first peak with higher values can be observed, while the blood pressure subsequently normalizes and reaches its lowest point around noon (14-15 o’clock). In the early evening (4-5 p.m.) the values normally rise again and reach a second peak.

Strongly fluctuating blood pressure values can be an indication of several underlying organic diseases. For example, this can be caused by a dysregulation of the vascular tone (including medication) or a cardiac dysfunction. Sporting activity causes the blood pressure to rise due to the body cells’ increased need for oxygen. In well-trained individuals, blood pressure drops back to normal levels more quickly following physical activity.