Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure (hypotension) can be easily diagnosed by measuring your blood pressure. You may need further tests, such as blood tests or an electrocardiogram (ECG),to determine the underlying cause.
Blood pressure test is available in a variety of settings:
Healthy adults aged over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.
Blood pressure is often measured using a sphygmomanometer, a devicethat consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, dial, pump and valve.
The cuff is placed around your arm and pumped up to restrict the blood flow. The pressure is then slowly released as your pulse is checked using the stethoscope.
Ameasurement is taken on the mercury scale, giving an accurate reading of your blood pressure.
Many GP surgeries now use digital sphygmomanometers, which measure your pulse using electrical sensors.
Before having your blood pressure taken, you should rest for at least five minutes and empty your bladder.
To get an accurate blood pressure reading, you should be sitting down and not talking when the reading is taken.
If your symptoms of low blood pressure mostly occur when you suddenly move into a more vertical position, your blood pressure may be measured before and after you move. For example, your blood pressure may be measured while you are sitting down and again while you are standing up.
Depending on what your seated blood pressure is, if your systolic readingfalls by between 15 to 30mmHg when you stand up, you may have orthostatichypotension (also known as postural hypotension).
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as two figures:
If your GP says your blood pressure is "140 over 90" or 140/90mmHg, it means you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg.
As a general guide, low blood pressure is a readingbelow 90/60. If you have low blood pressure according to this guide, you don't need to worry. Naturally low blood pressure rarely causes symptoms or needs treatment. Having low blood pressure is considered healthybecause it protects you from the risks and diseases of high blood pressure.
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is where blood pressure in your arteries is abnormally low.
Symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension) include dizziness, nausea and feeling weak. If your blood pressure is naturally low, it's unlikely to cause any symptoms or require treatment.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) has many possible causes. Some are everyday factors, while some people have an underlying cause that requires treatment.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) can be easily diagnosed by measuring your blood pressure.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) usually only needs to be treated if it is causing symptoms.