Is Your Low Blood Pressure Dangerous? Warning Signs And Tips

When your blood pressure (BP) reading is below 90/60 mm Hg, it is considered low blood pressure (hypotension), and many factors can contribute to it. Common symptoms of low blood pressure are dizziness and fainting, but many people don’t experience any symptoms at all. This can be concerning, as what other factors can make low BP life-threatening? Today, we will explain it in detail. 

To understand this better, the editorial team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Dr Brunda MS, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore and Dr Piyush Harchand, Associate Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana.

Can Low Blood Pressure Be Life-threatening?

Low blood pressure can be dangerous or even life-threatening in some situations. Explaining this, Dr Brunda says, “This is because it can reduce blood flow to important organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys. While some people naturally have low BP without symptoms, it becomes risky when it drops suddenly or causes symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, confusion, nausea, fatigue, or weakness.”

Dr Harchand adds that hypotension is not always dangerous. “In many healthy people, a blood pressure reading below 90/60 mm Hg is asymptomatic and does not need treatment,” he adds.

A 2016 study, published in ‘The Journal of Clinical Hypertension’, examined whether lowering BP using medications can be dangerous for patients. The findings noted that individuals whose BP was lowered severely (under 120 systolic or 70 diastolic) suffered strokes, heart attacks, and heart failure. The study concluded that forcing BP to lower levels can be dangerous.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), low BP can be life-threatening when levels drop significantly, hindering sufficient oxygen supply to your vital organs. When the organs do not receive enough oxygen, it can send out warning signs such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. If left untreated, it may turn severe and cause permanent damage to your organs. If BP remains severely low and organ failures continue, it may eventually lead to coma or even death.

Can low BP cause a stroke or a heart attack? A 2024 study, published in the ‘Hypertension Research’ journal, examined whether low BP can affect the heart. The findings stated that for low-risk individuals, the danger of experiencing cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack from severely low BP is minimal.

ALSO READ - Low Blood Pressure Explained: When Should You Worry?

What Are The Risks Of Severely Low BP?

Dr Harchand says that extreme hypotension can cause a cascade of physiological problems, such as:

• Organ Failure: A sudden drop in blood pressure can lead to acute kidney injury because nephrons (the filtration units in the kidneys) require specific pressure to function. Prolonged hypotension can also impair blood flow to the liver, intestines, and other organs.
• Severe Brain Damage: If the brain does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, the chances of an ischaemic stroke or permanent brain damage (cognitive impairment) increase.
• Cardiac Distress: Paradoxically, low blood pressure stresses the heart. To compensate for the low pressure, the heart beats faster (tachycardia) to maintain output, which can trigger a myocardial infarction (heart attack) if the coronary arteries themselves are not receiving enough blood.
• Hypotensive shock: This represents a critical stage, where systemic circulation fails, and organs begin to shut down.

What Are The Warning Signs Of Low BP?

Dr Brunda lists some serious warning signs of low blood pressure, such as: 

• Cold or clammy skin
• Pale face
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Shallow breathing
• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness 

“Many of these signs may point to underlying conditions such as severe dehydration, heavy blood loss, heart problems, infections, allergic reactions, or shock. Causes may include standing up too quickly, long illness, high fever, severe vomiting or diarrhoea, pregnancy, or side effects of medicines,” adds Dr Brunda MS.

Tests For Low Blood Pressure

According to the Cleveland Clinic, certain tests can help diagnose low BP, which include:

Lab Test 

These may include blood and urine tests that can look for potential problems such as:

• Diabetes
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Thyroid or hormone problems
• Low iron levels (anaemia)
• Pregnancy (for anyone who can become pregnant)

Imaging

If doctors suspect a heart or lung issue, they may include the following tests: 

• X-rays
• Computed Tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Echocardiogram or similar ultrasound-based tests.

Diagnostic testing

Doctors may also suggest certain tests to look for specific problems with your heart or other organs.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Exercise stress testing
• Tilt table test (can help in diagnosing orthostatic hypotension)

Tips to Manage Low Blood Pressure

According to the British Heart Foundation, these are some tips to manage low blood pressure:

• Get up slowly: Take your time while getting up from a chair or bed. Try stretching out to get the blood flowing before you directly move to a sitting position, and stand slowly. When you are getting up from a sitting position, cross and uncross your legs a few times before standing.
• Physical activity: Staying still for too long, be it sitting in a chair or working at a desk, can lead to a drop in BP. Go for regular walks throughout the day, even if it is a short 10-minute walk.
• Eat small meals: Your blood pressure drops after a heavy meal as more blood flows to the gut to ease digestion. Try having smaller meals more frequently.
• Drink enough water: About 55% of blood is plasma, which is 90% water. This indicates that drinking plenty of water can keep your BP healthy.
• Opt for salty food: We are told that eating too much salt is not good for the heart. If your BP is very low, then your doctor may recommend increasing your salt intake. You must choose healthy, nutritious foods instead of salty processed foods, even when increasing your salt intake.

When To Visit a Doctor

Dr Brunda suggests that it is important to seek medical help if symptoms of low BP are frequent, severe, or getting worse, or if fainting happens more than once. “Immediate emergency care is needed if a person collapses, has trouble breathing, experiences severe chest pain, confusion, or signs of shock,” adds the expert. Dr Harchand lists certain circumstances when you should consider visiting a doctor:

• If the drop in blood pressure is sudden and causes dizziness.
• If the individual is in a state of confusion, altered consciousness, or slurred speech.
• If the person experiences recurring fainting or near-syncope.

ALSO READ - Is High Blood Pressure Life-Threatening? Experts Explain Risks

Conclusion

Low blood pressure is generally not considered dangerous. When it drops suddenly or causes symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, confusion, or weakness, then you must visit a doctor. Severe low BP can lead to fatal conditions such as cardiac distress, severe brain damage, and organ failure. You can manage your low BP by having plenty of water, engaging in physical activity, and eating small meals.