Symptoms of low blood pressure

Introduction

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is present according to the medical definition if it is below 10060 mmHg. In Germany, approximately 2-4% of the population suffer from hypotension, the majority of whom are women. Low blood pressure can have many different causes, which can be completely harmless.

However, it can also indicate organic or, in rare cases, dangerous diseases and should therefore be clarified in case of additional symptoms. Blood is transported through the body by means of a heartbeat and supplies organs and tissue with nutrients and oxygen. How much and how fast blood circulates through the body is determined not only by the work of the heart but also, for example, by blood pressure.

The blood pressure is therefore an important factor in ensuring that nutrient-rich blood reaches the brain, for example. If the blood pressure is only slightly lowered, it does not manifest itself symptomatically in most people affected. However, if the pressure is too low, for example, to transport the blood quickly enough or in sufficient quantity to the tissues or organs, many different, noticeable symptoms can become apparent.

What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?

In case of low blood pressure (arterial hypotension), the blood pressure is below the normal limit, i.e. it is lower than normal. This can result in very different symptoms, which may or may not occur individually. The most common symptoms are listed below, from common to rare:

  • Dizziness (often after getting up)
  • Blackening before the eyes and flickering
  • See asterisks
  • Tiredness and exhaustion
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Headache or head pressure
  • Noise and pressure
  • Palpitations
  • Actorlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Tightness in the chest area
  • Disturbances of consciousness up to fainting

Dizziness due to low blood pressure

Low blood pressure often causes dizziness, often accompanied by “stargazing”. Many of those affected also become “black before their eyes” and they have the feeling of falling over. Since not enough blood reaches the brain and it is not sufficiently supplied for a very short time, dizziness can develop.

Often the dizziness is felt by people suffering from hypotension when they get up. This causes the blood to sink into the legs and cannot be pumped back to the heart and brain quickly enough. Especially in the morning before getting up, people with low blood pressure should first sit on the edge of the bed.

This can get the circulation going and prevent dizziness. Those affected also often get dizzy if they have to stand for a long time. Standing for a long time causes too much blood to remain in the legs.

As a result, the brain cannot be adequately supplied with blood and dizziness is triggered. People with low blood pressure also feel dizzy, especially in summer. Here the vessels in the brain are dilated and the blood pressure drops even further, which in turn causes dizziness symptoms to appear more quickly. or Causes of dizziness