Constant tiredness or dizzy spells? Low blood pressure (hypotension) may be behind these symptoms. In most cases this is harmless – but not always. When is low blood pressure dangerous, what are the causes and which home remedies help to get the circulation going again?
Quick overview: Frequently asked questions and answers
How does low blood pressure manifest itself? Hypotension can manifest itself through symptoms such as dizziness, tiredness, paleness, weakness or fainting. The upper blood pressure value is below 100 mmHg.
Are the symptoms of low blood pressure different in women? Women generally have slightly lower blood pressure than men. This can lead to circulatory problems, especially in pregnant or young women. However, the symptoms are fundamentally no different.
When is low blood pressure dangerous? Blood pressure is dangerously low when it falls so low that the normal blood supply to the body and therefore the oxygen supply to the organs is no longer guaranteed, which can lead to serious health problems.
What can I do if my blood pressure is too low? If your blood pressure is too low, it can help to drink enough fluids, eat something high in salt, or stand up slowly to avoid dizziness. If symptoms persist or are severe, medical attention should be sought.
Article contents at a glance:
Definition of Hypotension: What is Low Blood Pressure?
Experts speak of hypotension, as low blood pressure is also called, when the systolic (upper) blood pressure value is below 100 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).
Compared to high blood pressure, hypotension is harmless to the heart and blood vessels. If it is genetic and does not cause any symptoms, it has no disease value. Such hypotension occurs primarily in young, slim women.
In rare cases, physical illnesses can also lead to low blood pressure.
Symptoms of low blood pressure
If blood pressure is too low, organs sometimes do not receive an optimal supply of blood. This is particularly evident in brain function. Blood pressure that is too low can lead to the following symptoms:
- Morning lack of drive
- Vision problems such as black or star vision
- Dizziness (especially when standing up and changing positions)
- Tendency to faint (syncope)
- Headache
- Lack of concentration
- cold feet or hands
- tinnitus
- Tremble
- paleness
- fatigue
- heart racing
Low blood pressure but high heart rate?
Low blood pressure can also be associated with a too high heart rate. The cause: If blood pressure is particularly low, there is a risk of insufficient blood circulation. The heart tries to prevent this and accelerates the heartbeat in order to supply all organs well. This high pulse is typical for blood pressure that is too low and ultimately ensures that the circulation remains stable even when there is a severe lack of blood and that all organs are adequately supplied with nutrients.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Depending on the cause, the following forms of hypotension are distinguished:
Primary (essential) hypotension: In most cases, the exact cause of low blood pressure cannot be determined. Genes probably play a role, as hypotension is common in some families. Healthy, young and slim people are often affected.
Secondary hypotension: This form, however, is the result of an illness, for example an underactive thyroid, neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or heart failure. Severe fluid or blood loss can also lead to a drop in blood pressure. Certain medications such as beta blockers can also cause blood pressure to drop significantly.
Orthostatic hypotension or dysregulation: Hypotension, which usually only lasts for a short time, occurs when the blood pools in the legs as a result of standing up quickly or changing body position, thereby temporarily reducing the blood supply to the brain. Typical symptoms include dizziness and seeing stars. People over 65 years of age are often affected.
Low blood pressure in pregnancy
Hypotension is a common phenomenon in pregnancy, especially in the first six months. During this time, the circulatory system is put under additional strain due to the growth of the placenta and the baby, which leads to a drop in blood pressure. However, this is normal and usually not a cause for concern.
In the second trimester, blood pressure levels usually stabilize again. However, if the values remain too low in the last trimester of pregnancy, this can lead to inadequate nutrition for the child. In such cases, it is important to act in a timely manner to avoid possible developmental disorders or complications during childbirth.
Low blood pressure – what to do?
Simple measures and home remedies usually help to bring blood pressure that is too low back to normal, such as:
regular exercise such as swimming, jogging or hiking
Alternating showers or Kneipp treatments
Brush massages
an increased salt intake (since the salt binds water and thus increases blood pressure)
morning gymnastics in bed (“cycling” with your feet)
enough sleep
Drink a lot (at least 2 to 2.5 liters daily)
Anyone suffering from orthostatic hypotension should also get up slowly in the morning and ideally sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes. Drinking half a liter of water before getting up can help.
Medicinal plants for low blood pressure
There are also some herbal remedies that can increase blood pressure. The proven active ingredients include:
Before taking such preparations, it is best for patients to seek advice from their doctor’s office or pharmacy.
Medication for low blood pressure
Drug therapy with drugs that increase blood pressure is only necessary in very rare cases for hypotension. In most cases, simple measures can stimulate circulation. It is also sometimes helpful to readjust alpha blockers, diuretics or other medications after consulting a doctor.
If these measures are unsuccessful and blood pressure levels remain low, sympathomimetics can be prescribed. These active ingredients, which include etilefrine or midodrine, activate the sympathetic nervous system, a central part of the autonomic nervous system. This causes the blood vessels to constrict, which in turn leads to an increase in blood pressure.
However, medications that increase blood pressure can cause a variety of side effects such as rapid heartbeat, cardiac arrhythmias, inner restlessness or anxiety. Therefore, a careful risk-benefit assessment is required.
Low blood pressure: This is how it is diagnosed
Especially if low blood pressure occurs with symptoms such as dizziness or fainting, this should be checked by a doctor. The doctor will first question the person concerned in detail. Of interest, for example, is which medication is taken or in which situations symptoms arise.
To determine whether orthostatic hypotension is present, the so-called Schellong test is often used. The blood pressure is measured several times while lying down and then while standing. This method can be used to observe whether and how much blood pressure drops when the body position changes.
Sometimes a 24-hour blood pressure measurement is also ordered. In addition, further diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound scans or blood tests may be carried out to rule out other diseases as a cause.
How dangerous is low blood pressure?
In general, hypotension is considered relatively harmless because low blood pressure protects the blood vessels rather than putting strain on them, as is the case with high blood pressure.
However, symptoms such as poor concentration and performance, visual disturbances or palpitations often cause a lot of suffering for those affected. Dizziness or fainting can lead to falls and serious injuries. Orthostatic hypotension also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and the development of dementia or depression.
If blood pressure is very low, there is also a risk that the body will no longer be able to receive enough blood. A sudden drop in blood pressure can lead to life-threatening circulatory shock, which is often the result of severe allergic reactions, poisoning, strokes or cardiovascular diseases.
First aid tips: What helps against dizziness?
