10 Silent Signs You Could Have Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is not necessarily serious. Chronic low blood pressure, so long as it is without troublesome symptoms, may be the norm for many people. If, however, any of these symptoms accompany lower blood pressure, a more serious underlying cause may be to blame and you should seek medical attention. Read on to learn more.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Dizziness or lightheadedness

Dizziness or lightheadedness coupled with low blood pressure and no other discernible cause may be a sign of other underlying causes, which include serious illnesses. Dizziness is the most common symptom of low blood pressure, says Nicole Weinberg, MD, director of the Pacific Heart Institute’s Women’s Heart Center at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “It is often associated with position change like standing quickly after getting up in the morning and can be significant enough to cause fainting,” she says. Find out what doctors won’t tell you about healthy blood pressure.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Lack of concentration

There are many logical explanations for a lack of concentration: stress, busy schedules, lack of sleep. But if you have chronic low blood pressure as well as difficulty concentrating, it may be because blood is not being moved to the brain at an acceptable rate, causing the cells to be without nourishment.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Dehydration

Although there are many causes, dehydration can cause blood pressure to drop dangerously. If you have chronic low blood pressure, dehydration and an inability to quench thirst are signs that hypotension is problematic. Talk to your doctor about solutions.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Blurred vision

One of the more serious side effects of low blood pressure is blurred vision. Not only is it scary to experience, but the effects can be long-lasting or even permanent. If you experience blurred vision, call your doctor immediately. Here are some more small symptoms you should never ignore.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Cold, clammy skin

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can prevent the body from effaciously distributing blood to the extremities, which may result in cold or clammy skin. Additionally, the skin may appear blue or grey, which is an indicator that low blood pressure is serious and must be addressed.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Rapid heart rate

If you experience a rapid heart rate, you may have an underlying condition that causes the heart to contract irregularly. Since the heart does not have enough time to fill with blood, the heart compensates by beating faster. Lower blood pressure can be the result of an overworking heart. Here’s how you can treat low blood pressure at home.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Fatigue

Fatigue is a vague symptom that may have a variety of causes. “If a new medication was started and the patient has this symptom all day, they may be over-medicated and having some low blood pressure,” says Dr. Weinberg. “Also, someone may have low blood pressure if they have low hemoglobin, yet the low hemoglobin can cause fatigue on its own right,” she says. Discovering the underlying reason for the fatigue is critical. On the other end of the spectrum, learn the things you should do to avoid high blood pressure.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Depression

Low blood pressure can cause to flow of blood to your brain to drop to below-average levels. A study conducted by Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland found that this lesser blood flow can lead to symptoms of depression. In fact, people who suffer from low blood pressure can be up to 30% more likely to experience depression, according to the study. The researchers found such results in people who had never suffered from depression before; blood pressures below 130 coincided with a decline in mental health. The good news, though, is that keeping your blood pressure at a healthy rate may be able to reduce your risk of depression.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Nausea and/or vomiting

One of the most common types of low blood pressure, known as neurally mediated hypotension, manifests itself when you stand for a long time. It causes the signals between your heart and brain to malfunction, which can result in you feeling sick to your stomach or even vomiting in extreme cases. So if you experience those symptoms, especially after standing for a long period of time, low blood pressure might be the cause.

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Low blood pressure symptom: Fainting

In extreme cases, your blood pressure can dip so low that you can lose consciousness. This is because of the decreased blood flow to the brain that results from low blood pressure. If this happens, you should consult a doctor. Next, learn some surprising things that can affect your blood pressure reading.