What Is Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is the condition where a person’s blood pressure is much lower than normal. This can cause such symptoms as dizziness and light headedness. When the blood pressure is too low, there is inadequate supply of blood to the heart, brain and other vital organs. Low blood pressure is defined by signs and symptoms of low blood flow rather than by blood pressure reading.

Low Blood Pressure Symptoms

If the blood pressure is not sufficient to allow enough blood to travel to the organs of the body, those organs will not work properly. Insufficient blood flow to the brain, for example, can make a person light headed, dizzy or even cause them to faint. Insufficient blood flow to the coronary arteries can lead to chest pain (angina) or even heart attack. Persistently low blood pressure could lead to shock.

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Any condition that reduces the volume of blood or reduces cardiac output can lead to low blood pressure. Low blood volume is frequently caused by dehydration. Exercise, sweating, heat exhaustion and diarrhea can all lead to dehydration. Moderate or severe bleeding can lead to a lowered blood pressure. This condition is known as orthostatic hypotension. Severe inflammation of organs inside the body can also result in low blood pressure.

A weakened heart muscle can also be responsible for low blood pressure. This may be due to a heart attack, Pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart), pulmonary embolism, a slow heart rate, an abnormally fast heart rate, or medications such as calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and digoxin (Lanoxin).