Blood pressure measures the pressure of the blood that pushes against the walls of our arteries as it circulates around our bodies.
Our blood pressure should ideally be around 120/70 for younger adults and 130/80 for older adults. When our levels drop below these norms we can be diagnosed with low blood pressure, or hypotension. This is something that many people experience. It is not as dangerous to a person’s health as high blood pressure, but it can come with some debilitating and unpleasant effects. Hypotension is usually diagnosed if your blood pressure is consistently lower than 90/60.
Hypotension
General symptoms of low blood pressure include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Clammy skin
- Fainting
- Low mood
Low blood pressure can be categorized as follows:
Orthostatic hypotension
This is the most common type and is also known as postural hypotension which means that your blood pressure falls as you move and change positions. Moving from standing to sitting can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Postprandial hypotension
This type of hypotension happens when people experience a drop in their blood pressure after they have eaten.
Neurally mediated hypotension
The nervous system, hormones, and organs are all involved in the delicate balance that regulates our blood pressure. Abnormal reflex interactions between the heart and brain can cause neurally mediated hypotension. This can be triggered by sitting for too long in one position or a traumatic experience that causes shock. This can happen during medical procedures like having blood drawn or having a dental procedure.
There is not much available in the form of medical treatment for low blood pressure but nourishing the adrenal glands can be helpful. There are also some natural remedies that help to increase the blood pressure to more normal levels.
Listen to my interview with Brad Kirsten from Radio Cape Pulpit on 12 October 2023 to learn more. Listen to my next interview on Thursday at 7.45am.