Can Blood Pressure Be Too Low?

When I was in the hospital after the birth of my son, my arm was constantly hooked up to a blood pressure machine. The machine would check my blood pressure automatically every hour. And subsequently every hour the machine would start beeping annoyingly to let the nurses know that my blood pressure was very low. When the nurses would come into the room I would assure them that I just have low blood pressure all the time. After questions such as, "are you a marathon runner?" (a laughable thought from my perspective), I convinced the nursing staff that I was just someone with lower average blood pressure.

After this stint in the hospital, and a recent podiatrist visit in which my blood pressure was just 88 over 50 I got to asking the question, "Can blood pressure be too low?" Well certainly, extremely low blood pressure is a problem, but can low blood pressure in a healthy, young woman be a concern? We all hear plenty about the dangers of high blood pressure, but what about low blood pressure? I did some research about low blood pressure, and here is what a found out.

What is low blood pressure? Low blood pressure, also called Hypotension, does not have a specific definition. The American Heart Association believes that low blood pressure is relative to the individual. Some medical professionals do define low blood pressure as less than 100/60. Optimal blood pressure is generally defined as 120/60, according to About.com's Elizabeth Quinn. Anything lower than 120/80, according to the American Heart Association, is considered "normal" blood pressure.

Is low blood pressure harmful? Unless low blood pressure is accompanied by dizziness or fainting, extreme fatigue, or other uncomfortable symptoms, no it is not a problem in an average person. Typically, low blood pressure is even considered a good thing since the lower your blood pressure, in most cases, the lower your risk of heart disease.

Does dizziness when standing up quickly mean I have low blood pressure? Many people experience a rapid drop in blood pressure upon standing up quickly from a seated or lying position. This temporary drop in blood pressure does not mean that you have low blood pressure and it will be corrected within moments.

Should I see a doctor about my low blood pressure? Obviously it never hurts to see a doctor for any condition you are concerned about. If you are worried about your low blood pressure, talk to your doctor. While low blood pressure may be an indication of another problem, fortunately, it is highly unlikely.

Sources: About.com

Americanheart.org