Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure

Unlike high blood pressure symptoms, symptoms of low blood pressure really do exist and are to be expected. The key difference is that high blood pressure continues to have adequate circulation and low blood pressure does not.

How It Happens

With high pressure, when rising resistance interferes with circulation and threatens to reduce it, blood pressure is raised to increase blood flow, overcome the resistance and circulation is adequate, therefore no symptoms occur.

Symptoms of low pressure occur when resistance drops and greater blood flow and circulation are called for but the body is unable to respond, thus inadequate circulation results.

Symptoms of Low Pressure...A Confusing Mix

If you have not already done so, read my page on Low Blood Pressure

As stated on the Low Blood Pressure page, low blood pressure is secondary to a problem. Therefore not only does it cause symptoms but so does the problem. This results in a confusing picture that is not for the amateur to work out.

For instance, an infection producing a toxin which drops blood pressure may also cause fever, malaise, headache, nausea, and a host of other symptoms. At the same time the inadequate circulation might cause dizziness, weakness, chest pain, etc.

How The Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure Come About

Generally the first symptoms come from the organ the most sensitive to blood flow, the brain. Lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of balance occur but probably not headache. These symptoms usually occur first when getting up from a lying or a sitting position. When the condition is more severe, fainting occurs. The next stage is shock, a real emergency.

The heart is another organ that is immediately effected by low blood pressure and its low circulation. Chest pain and shortness of breath can occur as well as palpitations from increased force of beat and rapid heart rate.

The venous system might dilate and pool blood thus requiring more blood to be shunted from the skin. This would result in paleness and cold extremities.

The consequences and symptoms of low blood pressure and reduced circulation in organs like the liver, kidney and GI tract are not immediately manifested but occur later.

These are just some examples of what can happen and serve to illustrate how complex this problem is.

Generally speaking a normal person does not walk about with their blood pressure dropping to symptomatic levels. One of the body’s top requirements is adequate blood pressure and sufficient blood flow to the critical organs. The body will make whatever adjustments are necessary to smoothly accomplish this. When it cannot, symptoms of low blood pressure occur.

Doctor’s Practical Guide

Symptoms of low blood pressure combined with symptoms of the underlying disorder produce a complex clinical picture. Don’t get bogged down in trying to evaluate and diagnose symptoms. Promptly see your doctor and partner with him/her in correcting the problem.

If you can accurately read your blood pressure (especially when you have symptoms) and provide a number of readings it would be an invaluable assistance to your physicians. See How To Take Blood Pressure