Measuring your blood pressure gives you an idea about the amount of force generated by blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as it travels throughout your body. Blood pressure can change throughout the day for various reasons, but having consistently high or low blood pressure could be a sign of a serious health condition.
You measure your blood pressure using two sets of numbers. The first measures your systolic blood pressure, the stress placed on your artery walls from your beating heart. The second measures your diastolic blood pressure, which tells you the level of pressure applied when your heart pauses between beats.
Various methods are available to check your blood pressure. You can find out your numbers by:
- Making an appointment with a doctor
- Visiting a pharmacy that has a digital blood pressure machine available for public use
- Buying and using a home blood pressure monitor
The typical blood pressure range for most people is between 90/60 mm Hg and 120/80 mm Hg. (The “mm Hg” stands for millimeters of mercury.) If your numbers are outside that range, you may be dealing with high or low blood pressure — also known as hypertension and hypotension, respectively.
Signs of high or low blood pressure
Low blood pressure numbers could mean that essential parts of your body like the brain and heart aren’t receiving enough blood. Some people can have low numbers without it causing them any issues. Others experience symptoms that may show a link between their hypotension and other health problems.
7 common signs of low blood pressure include:
High blood pressure, a potentially serious problem that could lead to conditions like a stroke or heart attack, typically doesn’t have any symptoms — causing it to be labeled a “silent killer.” Getting tested is the only reliable way to find out if you have high blood pressure.
Causes of high or low blood pressure
While high blood pressure can be tied to your age or family history, you could also be at higher risk if you are pregnant or you have diabetes. Diet and other lifestyle factors can increase your risk as well, such as:
- Obesity
- Too much sodium
- Not enough potassium
- Lack of physical activity
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Tobacco use
Your blood pressure can drop for different reasons. Some people end up with low blood pressure because of medication they take, like:
- Heart medication
- Pain management medication
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Antidepressants
- Diuretics
- Medication administered during a surgery
You can temporarily have low blood pressure because of sudden shifts in your body position. Children and young adults often end up with a form of hypotension called neurally mediated hypotension, which occurs when you stand on your feet for long periods.
Other conditions can also lead to a diagnosis of hypotension, like:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Suddenly losing a lot of blood
- A serious infection
- A severe allergic reaction to something in the environment
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Heart problems
SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise and Tips See SlideshowWhen to see a doctor about high or low blood pressure
Your body may go into shock if it does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients because of low blood pressure. You should call 911 immediately if you experience any signs of shock. This can include:
Low blood pressure can leave older adults vulnerable to suffering a fall that causes an injury. If your blood pressure remains too low without treatment, you could also end up with permanent damage to various organs.
Since high blood pressure typically doesn’t have any symptoms, it’s important to be aware of your potential risk from factors like age, heredity, and lifestyle — and to have your pressure checked regularly.
Tests for high or low blood pressure
The doctor will perform an exam, check your pressure, and look for causes of your high or low blood pressure numbers. This usually includes checking your vital signs and asking questions about your medical history, like:
- Your typical blood pressure numbers
- Any recent accidents, illnesses, or injuries
- Your eating habits
- More details about your symptoms
Your doctor may also order one or more of the following tests:
- Blood cultures to look for signs of infection
- A basic metabolic panel
- Complete blood count
- An electrocardiogram
- X-rays of your chest or abdomen
Treatments for high or low blood pressure
While high blood pressure can be serious, the good news is that it’s usually manageable through medication or lifestyle changes, or both. Some common lifestyle recommendations to help keep your pressure in check include:
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly — at least 90 minutes per week or more.
- Lower the amount of sodium in your diet.
- Don’t drink alcohol excessively.
- Keep a healthy weight.
Immediate symptoms of low blood pressure can sometimes be eased simply by sitting or lying down. It can also help to elevate your feet above the level of your heart. If your low blood pressure does not cause any significant impacts in your daily life, you may not require further treatment.
Long-term treatment for hypotension can vary depending on your symptoms and how low your numbers are. Your doctor may focus on dealing with any underlying health conditions causing your low blood pressure.
They may decide to administer intravenous fluids to provide your body with nutrients. Wearing compression socks on your calves and thighs may help improve the blood flow from the veins in your legs to your heart.
American Heart Association: "Five Simple Steps to Control Your Blood Pressure."
American Heart Association: "Understanding Blood Pressure Readings."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Know Your Risk for High Blood Pressure."
MedlinePlus: "Low blood pressure."
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: "Low Blood Pressure."
National Institutes of Health: "Blood Pressure Matters."
Merck Manual: "Low Blood Pressure."
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Blood Pressure Readings: Chart, Normal, High, Low
Blood pressure is the force applied by the blood over the inner walls of the arteries. Although the average blood pressure for a person remains constant, it shows minor fluctuations throughout the day—declining while relaxing and momentarily increasing while being excited or under stress. An increase in resting blood pressure can scar, stiffen, or harden the arteries.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
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Is 110/60 a Too Low Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure reading of 110/60 mmHg is usually not considered a low blood pressure.
Is 120 Over 60 a Good Blood Pressure Reading?
If your systolic blood pressure is normal (between 100-120), and your diastolic blood pressure is lower (60 or below), you are considered to have low blood pressure, or isolated diastolic hypotension. Low diastolic blood pressure should be monitored closely.
Is 150 Over 90 a Good Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg comes under the category of stage I hypertension and means that you have high blood pressure.
Is A Manual Blood Pressure More Accurate?
Manual blood pressure gives accurate results when used correctly by a trained person. However, manual blood pressure measurement is not the recommended type of blood pressure monitoring for home use because it requires some training.
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. Some of the symptoms of low blood pressure include light-headedness, dizziness, and fainting if not enough blood is getting to the brain. Diseases and medications can also cause low blood pressure. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys; the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.
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What is low blood pressure (hypotension)? Explore low blood pressure causes, symptoms, and signs. Discover what is considered low blood pressure.What Causes Low Diastolic Blood Pressure?
A diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of somewhere between 60 and 90 mm Hg is good in older people. Causes of low DBP include bed rest, dehydration, loss of water, alcohol use, hormone deficiencies, allergic reactions, nutritional deficiencies and prolonged standing leading to blood pooling in the legs.
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If you want to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis, you can do so at home easily using an automated or digital blood pressure machine. Here’s how to make sure your at-home reading is accurate.What Time of Day Is Blood Pressure Highest?
Your blood pressure follows a pattern, rising a while before you wake up. It is the highest at midday and tends to drop in the evening or late afternoon.