Keeping a balanced blood pressure is vital.
We always aim to keep a healthy balance in life. When we talk about blood pressure, maintaining a normal blood pressure level is necessary for our body to function well.
Imbalance in blood pressure is associated with life-threatening chronic ailments, and hence, it is imperative to maintain it to a normal level.
Difference between high blood pressure and low blood pressure:
The desired blood pressure number for a healthy body is 120/80mm Hg.
A blood pressure reading of the top number between 130-139mm Hg and a lower number of 80-89mm Hg puts you in a category of stage 1 hypertension. A high systolic (top) number indicates your heart is working harder to circulate blood. The extra work can lead to a thickened heart muscle, increasing the risk of damaging the heart, kidney and brain.
Blood pressure number lower than 90/60mm Hg is called low blood pressure. Some people have low blood pressure all the time, and it is normal for them. However, a sudden fall in blood pressure will restrict your blood flow from reaching your vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and brain, which has the potential to damage them.
We often get worried about high blood pressure, but a sudden drop in blood pressure can also be dangerous. Let’s talk about low blood pressure and what to keep in mind.
Reasons for the drop in blood pressure:
- Orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension
In this condition, blood pressure suddenly drops with the change in posture/ position, and it stays low for longer than 3 minutes once you stand up from a sitting position. The drop is usually more than 20mm Hg in systolic number and 10mm Hg in diastolic number.
- Diseases:
Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, irregular heart rhythms, life-threatening immune reactions, diabetes, etc, can also cause low blood pressure.
- Other reasons
– Dehydration
– Blood loss from an injury
– Medications for high blood pressure, heart ailments, depression, etc
– Pregnancy
– Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold weather)
– Consumption of alcohol
– Few herbs/vitamins
We can’t see our blood pressure; unfortunately, an imbalance in blood pressure doesn’t cause significant symptoms. That’s why perhaps it is easy to miss whenever there is an imbalance in the blood pressure. Only in cases of very high or very low blood pressure does our body show signs, but that situation can prove dangerous or even fatal in a few cases.
Signs and symptoms of low/drop in blood pressure
– Dizziness
– Fainting/passing out
– Nausea/vomiting
– Confusion
– Blurred vision
– Fatigue or extreme weakness
– Headache/ neck pain
– Heart palpitations
What can you do to prevent injury/damage?
- Measure your blood pressure regularly. In case of low blood pressure, check throughout the day to understand what might cause low levels.
- Change medications: It is advisable to consult a doctor and change medicines if it is causing low blood pressure.
- Change your posture slowly: Do not get up suddenly with force after sitting/sleeping for a long time. Getting out of bed is a common trigger. Pump your legs up and down in the air before you get up. Sit on the bed for some time, and give your body time to adjust its blood pressure before standing up.
- Keep your body hydrated: Remember to drink water at regular intervals. Do not wait to get thirsty to drink water.
- Avoid alcohol
- Support your legs/belly with compression stockings: Knee-high or waist-high compression stockings can help.
- Adjustment in food habits: Add salt to your diet. Avoid eating a salt-free diet. Eat smaller meals. Heavy meals containing large portions of carbohydrates can lead to low blood pressure after meals.
Approximately 30% of people above the age of 70 years are suffering from low blood pressure, and as low blood pressure is mainly without any signs or symptoms, it may not be diagnosed until the person faints and falls. To avoid unwarranted situations, it is advisable to keep a check on blood regularly.
Better to be safe than sorry.