Low blood pressure- how low is too low?

[housemouse]

And when should I be worried with blood pressure being low? At what point should I look into to maybe medicate it? Is there a best time to check it for best results? Also, which doctor would be the one handling this- family doctor or cardiologist or someone else if it ever came to the point that it needs to be medicated?

Thank you very much.

Edited May 8, 2016 by housemouse

[mysticmomma]

Age? Height? Weight? Symptoms? Lowest bp? Highest bp?

[Pawz4me]

My understanding (which I readily admit could be wrong) is that low BP isn't usually a problem unless the person is having symptoms.  Mine has been as low as 96/54 and I felt fine.  All the females on my father's side of the family have low BP and it's never been a problem for any of us.

 

If you're concerned, I would get a home BP monitor and check it once or twice a day.  Keep a log for awhile and then discuss it with your primary care doctor.

[Annie G]

Dh's cardiologist says as long as he's not experiencing side effects, like dizziness when he stands, that he's not concerned no matter how low it goes.  Dh was having some trouble with dizziness, being cold, and he was super fatigued so the cardiologist futzed with the meds and he's better now...but still has super low blood pressure.  

 

If you're having side effects or if low blood pressure is a new development for you, I'd ask your primary care doc about it.  

Edited May 8, 2016 by Annie G

[Rubix]

I'm a home care nurse, and we report bp's to the MD if it is under 80/50. Often they will just recheck later, or adjust med if the person is on med for high bp that are dropping it too low.

 

Symptoms are important too, dizziness, feeling faint, etc.

[housemouse]

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Edited May 8, 2016 by housemouse

[housemouse]

I'm a home care nurse, and we report bp's to the MD if it is under 80/50. Often they will just recheck later, or adjust med if the person is on med for high bp that are dropping it too low.

 

Symptoms are important too, dizziness, feeling faint, etc.

If I have been sitting on the floor for a while or on my knees on the chair, if I get up too fast, things tend to go a bit dark. I have to sit back down or remember to get up slow to begin with. According to cardiologist I saw 3 year ago that was normal and not to worry too much. Is that normal or should I go and see another cardiologist for another opinion?

[housemouse]

Age? Height? Weight? Symptoms? Lowest bp? Highest bp?

Early 30's. Petite, about 10 pounds over ideal weight. usually at the doctors it's about 100/60 to 115/74 but I figured with dealing with traffic getting there and then agitation because it takes forever to see he Doctor so it will be higher. At home on the good day 90/60 to 105/65 but I've had go as low as 88/56. Today for example I went out shopping for about 2 hours and was just feeling off and slightly nauseous. Came home and pressure was 88/61. Usually my head feel funny, legs get wobbly like walking on cotton balls, sometimes feeling a bit warm, sometimes slight nausea( rarely). I have to either sit or squat low to the floor and after a bit it goes away.

Edited May 8, 2016 by housemouse

[Rubix]

I think it would mean that your bp is dropping when you change positions quickly. Moving slowly is your best bet, staying hydrated too. I don't think your cardiologist is wrong, but if you feel you are at risk of falling or passing out, you may be more comfortable with another opinion.

[SparklyUnicorn]

If you start dragging @$$.

[melbotoast]

If it bothers you, I would go in. I had a couple (near) fainting episodes in my early twenties, so they lowered the dosage on my meds. Also, try to drink lots of water and get up slowly.

[basketcase]

Salt helps me the most. Eating a salty snack raises my BP enough to take away the dizzy feeling.

 

And yes to drinking more water, also.

[Soror]

I was just 70-40 yesterday and have recorded down to the 60a, that feels really crappy. I usually try to remember my salt because it definitely helps. I drink vit c, 1-2 tsp-1 tsp sea salt in a glass of water with breakfast(sometimes with cream of tartar for potassium). I thought it was all related to my thyoid but I"m looking into my adrenals again as that can cause it.

 

Also, you can have a drop if your glucose levels drop. I keep an eye on mine because it does drop. It is usually 100-60 these days and that feels pretty good.

 

Much sympathy, I know when I get a drop like that I end up confined to lying down. After my spell yesterday I drank my salt cocktail and ate some food and was better in 20 minutes

Edited May 8, 2016 by soror

[Deb in NZ]

I've always had low, low BP, but never experiences side effects until last year.  I find that staying well hydrated is VERY important.  Adding salt  regularly to my foods helps as well.  Also, I have more side effects if I get anaemic, so keeping my iron levels up is important as well.  Both times that I ended up passing out completely I was very anaemic.  

[gardenmom5]

there are various things that can affect bp.  you would need a full workup to see if a cause can be determined. you can start with your doc - and go from there.  a pulmonologist (maybe) or cardiologist if you feel you need more specialized care.

 

my mother was categorically against salt. . . . she didn't salt things.  oatmeal with no salt.  by the time my bp was regularly being checked - my *normal* was 90/60.  and that had gone up from where it had been.  to me it was normal - but I had so many people who thought I looked like I was about to faint.  the lowest I know it to have been was 60/40. for me - that was too low.

 

how much water do you drink?  what's your hydration level?  (sugary - re: pop, JUICE, etc.-  drinks deplete hydration)

and do get enough salt and other electrolytes.

Edited May 10, 2016 by gardenmom5

[Tap]

For me, it isn't really about how low it goes, but how close the numbers get together.  At 105/78 I am fine and completely normal.  At 98/80, I feel absolutely horrible.  If my numbers get closer than 25 digits apart AND my upper number is under 100, I feel cruddy, if it is 20 points or less apart, I feel like I am moving underwater and like I have the flu.

 

 As long as my numbers are more than 25 points apart, I am ok, less than that, and it shuts me down. 

 

 

Even as a teenager, being athletic and healthy, my normal bp was 120/80.  My bp runs a bit on the higher end of normal and it always has.  So, while a score of 98/80 isn't on the low end of the charts, it is on the low end for me. 

 

 

My doctor has me purposely try to eat a bit more salt and caffeine each day to help offset the lower BP. A problematic score always hits me in the afternoon, when I am stressed out and on my feet a lot. My salt levels in my blood work are always on the very low end of normal, so she thinks it is just related to my naturally not eating much salt in my diet.  By drinking a caffeinated drink with my lunch it artificially inflates my bp at the time of day that I am most likely to have a problem.  This combination of salt/caffiene really does help me.  After doing this for a couple of years, I can now tell if my salt levels are a bit off and can eat something super salty (Ramen noodles are my go to food) to help bump me back up.

[imagine.more]

Mine is typically 90/60 but sometimes dips lower. I do feel faint if it goes much below my norm and peanut butter crackers + orange juice can help. I mostly just need to be careful of any pain relief like epidurals because they make me faint. I passed out 2-3 times after DS was born because they gave me demerol and my blood pressure was something over 40. That was an awful feeling!

 

So I'd say just be aware of it at your level in case of surgeries and be careful standing too quickly

[Lanny]

Years ago, I had that problem. It was temporary, I think for about 2 years. I cannot give you a number, but the doctor I went to also had Low Blood Pressure.  He told me that if you have that, and you are in an emergency, the people treating you (Ambulance, etc.) might take life saving measures that are unnecessary, because they do not know it is "normal".  I bought a "Medic Alert" bracelet that said I had low blood pressure.  GL