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PharmEasy Blog

High Blood Pressure Vs Low Blood Pressure – Know The Difference!

According to the guidelines given by the American Heart Association, if the blood pressure falls in one of the below categories then the condition is called Hypertension:

• Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic: between 130-139 or Diastolic: between 80-89
• Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic: 140 or higher and Diastolic: 90 or higher
• Hypertensive crisis : Systolic: Above 180 and/or Diastolic: Above 120

Thus, Hypertension is nothing but high blood pressure and is a serious condition because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood into the body and if not controlled, can result in an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failures.

Similarly, Hypotension is low blood pressure. In this condition, the blood pressure typically falls below a Systolic value of 90 and a Diastolic value of 60.

Within prescribed limits, a low blood pressure reading is generally good. However, sometimes this condition can result in dizziness and tiredness. But if there are no adverse symptoms as such then there is nothing to worry about.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

While the exact causes of high blood pressure are still unknown, medical practitioners attribute this condition to certain factors namely:

1. Obesity
2. Excessive alcohol consumption
3. Increases salt intake
4. Smoking
5. Diabetes
6. Genetics
7. Stress
8. Ageing
9. Kidney disease

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

The dropping of blood pressure is a normal scenario. However, certain conditions cause low blood pressure for an extended period such as:

• Infections in the bloodstreams
• Diabetes
• Thyroid
• Blood loss due to injury
• Weakness due to dehydration and
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal imbalances
• Due to some medications
• Problems related to heart or kidneys

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

While high blood pressure doesn’t show any severe symptom (which is why it is also called a ‘silent killer’) as such, it is sometimes observed that some people suffering from high blood pressure do show signs of sweating, sleeping problems, and anxiety. However, if the Hypertensive crisis condition is reached, the patient may suffer from nose bleeding and headaches.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

Some noticeable symptoms that should raise alarm bells include:

• Unsteadiness
• Blurry vision
• Lack of concentration
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Nausea
• Pale skin
• Rapid and low breathing

Patients usually ask which number is more important, the answer clinically is that systolic blood pressure (the first number) is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50 years of age.

Dr Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Treatment for High Blood Pressure

While many doctors prescribe medication to deal with high blood pressure, generally, it is best to bring a change in lifestyle and improving dietary choices along with prescribed medications.

Some lifestyle adjustments include:

• Engaging in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercises such as walking, swimming, cycling or jogging
• Giving up smoking
• Reducing salt intake
• Cutting down on alcohol consumption
• Increasing the intake of fresh fruits and veggies, high-fibre and whole-grain foods, low-fat dairy products
• Keeping a check on body weight

Doctors generally also recommend a ‘DASH – Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet for high blood pressure patients who adhere to the above lifestyle adjustments.

Also read: Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Hypotension is generally defined as a blood pressure reading below 90/60 mm Hg. However, it is essential to note that normal blood pressure can vary from individual to individual. And what is considered low for one person may not be low for another.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka – MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

Treatment for Low Blood Pressure

Simple, good to implement practices that may prevent low blood pressure which includes :

1. Limit the intake of alcoholic beverages.
2. Increase the intake of water during hot, torrid weather conditions and especially when down with a viral infection.
3. Adhere to a high-salt intake diet.
4. Participate in regular physical activities to augment blood flow.
5. Avoid standing or sitting in one position for a long duration.
6. Be prudent and cautious while arising from lying down and sitting position.
7. To avoid periods of dizziness, try eating light and smaller meals at regular intervals and evade any strenuous activities immediately t eating.
8. Cut down on your carbohydrate intake.
9. Consult a doctor on the usage of elastic stockings that cover your calf and thigh area. This may help in restricting the blood flow to the lower part of the body thereby keeping more blood in the upper part.

Hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency and if you face any signs of possible organ damage like chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, do not wait to see if your pressure comes down on its own.

Dr Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

WAYS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE:

High blood pressure can rightfully be described as a ‘silent killer’. This is because there are rarely any high blood pressure symptoms but it poses a major threat of heart-related ailments like stroke. Some of the ways in which you can lower your high blood pressure without medications are as follows:

• Exercise Daily: It goes without saying that keeping yourself fit and active with some form of daily exercise has its benefits. As you exercise daily, your heartbeat and breathing rate increase slowly, thus making your heart pump blood easily. This, in turn, puts less pressure on your arteries and helps to lower blood pressure.
  
• Be mindful of your weight: Being overweight gives shelter to several diseases which can later turn into serious health issues. As compared to your height, make sure your weight is within what it should be. Losing a few extra pounds will not only help in lowering your blood pressure but will also reduce any other chance of potential medical problems.
  
• Reduce sugar and carb intake: Sugar, especially fructose, is known to increases your blood pressure more than salt. Having a low carb, low sugar diet will make you consume more protein and healthy fat, which will, in turn, keep you fuller for longer.
  
• Smoking: Quitting smoking is good for your overall health, let alone for lowering your blood pressure. Smoking is known to increase (temporarily) your blood pressure and heart rate, but in the longer run, the nicotine present in tobacco causes to increase your blood pressure by damaging blood vessels and narrowing arteries, thus stopping sufficient amounts of blood flow through your heart.

How To Manage & Prevent Low Blood Pressure?

Fall in Low Blood Pressure might be due to temporary reasons. But it is still important to know all about low blood pressure because you never know what you might be suffering from despite being very careful in life.

Low blood pressure is a common occurrence among people aged 60 plus. Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition where the pressure of the blood in the blood vessel is usually low.

Normal blood pressure range falls anywhere between 90/60mm Hg and 130/80mm Hg; therefore, a person is said to be suffering from low blood pressure if the BP value is under 90 / 60mm Hg and from high blood pressure if it is above 130/80mm Hg (Read more about High Blood Pressure). The causes for such a condition are many things, such as age, weather, medication, injury, illness, or as part of the normal up and down fluctuations that happen during the day.

Although many times it is harmless, the condition can be life-threatening if you start to show symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or falls. (Related to heart problems, diabetes)

How low is too low

Major causes of low blood pressure are your diet and lifestyle. If you carefully monitor your daily activities and intake, you can easily avoid an episode. An active person is said to have a blood pressure value of 140/70 mm Hg.

When you are not able to recover from a low blood pressure episode within few minutes or an hour or the occurrence of the episodes are frequent, then it is suggested that you visit a doctor and get a check-up done.

Usually, when one suffers from an episode, there are no prescribed drugs to help raise blood pressure since treating the underlying cause is usually all the treatment needed. If the occurrence is repetitive, fludrocortisone or midodrine, are generally prescribed.

Probable causes

1. Pregnancy- This is quite normal and the blood pressure usually gets back to normal after giving birth.
2. Heart Problems- Some heart conditions will lead to low blood pressure as it prevents the body from circulating enough blood
3. Dehydration- Even mild dehydration can cause weakness and dizziness. The dehydrated body loses more water than what is taken in.
4. Blood loss- Whether it is because of an injury or internal bleeding, loss of blood results can make you feel weak and dizzy.
5. Severe infection/ allergy- When infection and allergy have reached a point where it starts to enter the bloodstream, the drop can be life-threatening and sometimes even fatal.
6. Endocrine difficulties- Diabetes, low blood sugar and thyroid problems can also lead to a drop in pressure.

Hypotension which is predominantly manifested by light headedness or dizziness should be evaluated properly by a physician as hypotension is far more dangerous than hypertension.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Prevention

1. Don’t stand up too quickly- When you are lying down or getting up from a chair, stand up gradually. Sudden movement can often result in a drop of pressure.
2. Drink lots of water- Staying hydrated is really important. If it is really hot outside or you are doing enough to burn your calories, make sure to drink a lot of water.
3. Avoid caffeine, energy drinks, soft drinks, and alcohol- These drinks can cause one to lose more fluid in the body than gain it. So avoid such consumption as much as possible.
4. Don’t stand in one place for too long- If you stand in one place for too long the brain commands your heart to start beating slow as it assumes that your blood pressure is rising since there is a lot of blood pooling near the leg.
5. Have a meal or a snack one in every two hours- Your body deserved a balanced diet. Make sure you have enough nutrient intake in order to stay healthy.

If your blood pressure drops too low, your body’s vital organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, low blood pressure can lead to shock, which requires immediate medical attention.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

Low Blood Pressure Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

If you are regularly checking your blood pressure at home, you should be aware that normal blood pressure fluctuates during the day. For example, while resting or sleeping blood pressure is lower than when you are active. This is not a cause for alarm. Here are a few low blood pressure symptoms to keep an eye out for in case you are not monitoring it often:

• Blurry vision or difficulty seeing properly
• Depression, cognitive problems like confusion and difficulty focusing  
• Fatigue, feeling low or tired, feeling dizzy or fainting  
• Dehydration, feeling extra thirsty  
• Sudden sweating (even when it isn’t hot)
• Feeling the chills  
• Feeling like vomiting  
• Fast and shallow breaths (similar to hyperventilating)

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Hypotension: It’s Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

In medical parlance, Hypotension is basically low blood pressure. In this condition, the blood pressure typically falls below a Systolic value of 90 and a Diastolic value of 60.

Within prescribed limits, a low blood pressure reading is generally good. However, sometimes this condition can result in dizziness and tiredness. But if there are no adverse symptoms as such, then there is nothing to worry about.

Types of Hypotension

Health issues start to crop up when the blood pressure drops suddenly and the brain is deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen.

1. These sudden drops occur when a person stands up from a lying down or sitting position. This kind of Hypotension is called Postural Hypotension.
2. For some patients, the blood pressure may also fall when standing for a long period of time. This type of low blood pressure is called Neurally Mediated Hypotension.
3. If a patient faints because of the body’s overreaction to certain triggers, it is called Vasovagal Syncope.
4. Some people always record low blood pressure. This form of Hypotension is called Chronic Asymptomatic Hypotension and is usually unharmful.

Additionally, shock can also cause a sudden and strong drop in blood pressure called severe hypotension. Shock is usually caused by an injury or an infection. Another form of hypotension occurs in people who take medication for hypertension (high blood pressure). This can happen either due to too much medication, changes in the body or due to dietary choices (certain foods can lower blood pressure).

Causes of Hypotension

The dropping of blood pressure is a normal scenario. However, certain conditions cause extended periods of Hypotension such as:

• Infections in the bloodstream
• Diabetes
• Thyroid
• Blood loss due to injury
• Weakness due to dehydration
• Pregnancy
• Hypertension and antidepressant medications
• Dehydration (caused by vomiting, diarrhoea, not drinking enough water)
• Heart conditions that affect circulation
• Allergic reactions

Hypotension causes  cover a wide range of things, treating these underlying causes will usually return your pressure to normal.  

Older adults also have a higher risk of symptoms of low blood pressure, such as falls, fainting, or dizziness when standing or after a meal.[4] If the blood pressure is sufficiently low, fainting (syncope) may occur

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Symptoms of Hypotension

Some noticeable symptoms that should raise alarm bells include:

• Unsteadiness
• Blurry vision
• Lack of concentration
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Nausea
• Pale skin
• Rapid and low breathing

Hypotension symptoms may also include lightheadedness, dizziness, sweaty/clammy skin and fainting.

Hypotension in pregnancy can have a severe impact on the mother and the baby as it may cause brain damage to the fetus, cause low birth weight or premature birth.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Treatment

For many patients, these underlying symptoms can be effectively addressed by bringing about relevant changes in the diet and lifestyle.

Simple, good to implement practices are:

1. Limit the intake of alcoholic beverages.
2. Increase the intake of water during hot, torrid weather conditions and especially when down with a viral infection.
3. Adhere to a high-salt intake diet.
4. Participate in regular physical activities to augment the blood flow.
5. Avoid standing or sitting in one position for a long duration.
6. Be prudent and cautious while arising from a lying down and sitting position. One best practice: Thrust your feet and ankles with force a couple of times before you stand up, this will help to aid blood circulation. In the morning, when you are ready to get out of bed, sit upright on the edge of the bed for a few moments and then stand. This will give you better control as you stand up on your feet.
7. To avoid periods of dizziness, try eating light and smaller meals at regular intervals and evade any strenuous activities immediately post eating.
8. Cut down on your carbohydrate intake.
9. Consult a doctor on the usage of elastic stockings that cover your calf and thigh area. This may help in restricting the blood flow to the lower part of the body thereby keeping more blood in the upper part.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.