What’s Considered Low Blood Pressure?
High or low is a matter of perspective. In medical world, we always have standard to measure whether something high or low. Low blood pressure is good example of this standard measurement. What’s considered low blood pressure? Blood pressure is measured using arteries reading. The reading will give you two results called as systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure represents blood pressure when your heart is pumping blood. Meanwhile, diastolic pressure represents blood pressure between each pump. Modern medical knowledge uses blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg as the standard for normal blood pressure. Blood pressure reading below this number indicates low blood pressure.
Some Factors Contributing to Low Blood Pressure
- Allergic reaction
The allergic reaction that is able to cause low blood pressure is called as anaphylaxis. Many things that you often underestimate such as insect bite, medication, food, or even latex, may trigger allergic reaction. Mild allergic reaction symptoms are swollen, itching, or breathing problem. Anaphylaxis often happens at severe stage of allergic reaction. - Blood loss
As mentioned before, what’s considered low blood pressure can be measured by the artery reading. Your blood pressure is most likely in low condition if you experience blood loss. In general, people loss their blood due to internal bleeding or injury caused by accident. Since the amount of blood is low, the artery reading will be at low level as well. - Dehydration
Do not take lightly thirsty condition. If the amount of fluid in your body is decreased, it will affect your whole system, including the blood pressure. Low blood pressure caused by dehydration often happens on severe case of dehydration. In other hand, the common symptoms of dehydration in mild case are including fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. - Endocrine issue
Endocrine issue is often associated with hormonal problems. Some hormonal problems including adrenal insufficiency in Addison’s disease, parathyroid disease of thyroid condition, low blood sugar or otherwise known as hypoglycemia, and diabetes are contributing to low blood pressure. People with such endocrine issues require proper medical attention. - Heart condition
Heart is vital organ that pumps blood over your system. It plays huge role in defining what’s considered low blood pressure. Low blood pressure caused by heart condition may bring your blood pressure to extreme level. Since the heart is unable to circulate enough blood to your body, it potentially leads to other health problems including cardiovascular issues, heart failure, and heart attack. - Infection
Infection or otherwise known as septicemia is a condition where your body is infected. The infection spread through your bloodstreams. People with infection might experience something called septic shock. This term refers to a condition where your blood pressure is significantly decreased caused by infection. It often leads to harmful health issues. - Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the blood circulation system of a woman is expanding to the baby. Therefore, the blood pressure is most likely dropping significantly. Unlike any other blood pressure cases in this list, this low blood pressure is considered as normal condition. It is the only condition when what’s considered low blood pressure in medical definition counted as something normal.