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What are the Risks of Low Blood Pressure?

By Shannon Kietzman
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 346,860
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For the most part, low blood pressure, or hypotension, is considered to be a sign of good health. This is because higher blood pressure places more pressure is on the heart and the circulatory system. For this reason, individuals who have a blood pressure that is low are usually at a lower risk of kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease. In some cases, however, low blood pressure may not be healthy and, like high blood pressure, carries some risks.

With very low blood pressure, the brain, heart, and other vital organs may not receive enough blood. Ultimately, this can cause these organs to fail to function properly and even to become permanently damaged. The lack of oxygen can also cause a person to experience blackouts, particularly when standing up or sitting up too quickly after lying down. This type is generally referred to as orthostatic hypotension.

Low blood pressure can also be a symptom of a variety of conditions, some of which are life threatening. These include dehydration, shock, advanced diabetes, heart failure, heart attack, and anaphylaxia, a life threatening allergic response. While blood pressure that is low does not cause these conditions, it can sometimes be the first sign of them.

For a person to be diagnosed as having low blood pressure, his or her blood pressure must be below 90/60. Normal blood pressure is considered to be anywhere from 90/60 to 120/80. It is possible for only one of these numbers to be less than the normal range, and in such cases, the blood pressure may still be generally considered low.

Regardless of the blood pressure reading, medical professionals do not usually diagnose a person with low blood pressure unless he or she is showing other signs or problems associated with the condition. Some of these signs include dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting for no apparent reason. Since blood pressure that is low enough to cause health problems is usually caused by other health problems, the first treatment plan is to treat the underlying cause. If there is no underlying cause, certain medications may be prescribed to regulate the blood pressure.

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The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon994920 — On Mar 17, 2016

110/70 may or may not be such a low BP. It all depends on how you feel. I feel fine at that pressure. However, if it drops a little lower like say, 104 and such, then I began to feel a bit dizzy and as if I will pass out. normally the low is 73-70 and I'm OK, but any lower and it also makes me dizzy. However, it all depends on how people feel. Something between 110/70-135/85 is fine depending on how you feel.

By Nylover — On Mar 10, 2015

Just a recommendation: Changing the lifestyle makes a big difference in any low or high blood pressure situation. Why? Because low or high blood pressure is a lifestyle sickness. Therefore, remove any processed food, any meat (beef, chicken, fish, shellfish, etc.) and milk of animals, add more raw fruits and raw vegetables to your diets. Also cut down on cooked food (above 110 degree F.) Steam is better if you prefer, but be moderate with it.

By anon345001 — On Aug 14, 2013

I have a Bp of 95/75. Normal for my wife is 117/80.

By anon337799 — On Jun 08, 2013

There is so much ignorance on this site, I am virtually amazed. First of all, a reading of 110 over 70 is excellent! Even 106 over 65 is just fine. Trained athletes often have even lower numbers than this.

However, all of us are made differently and vibrate at different energetic levels. Whereas one individual may feel great at 135 over 85, another may feel nothing is wrong at 100 over 58. We are all chemically different. There are many factors in blood pressure reads. Blood pressure can also change great degrees throughout any given day, along with pulse readings.

Concerns should be addressed when either extreme occurs and stays that way for extended periods of time. Many things can cause fluctuations in bp, even food allergies. Definitely get checked out if symptoms last, and pay special attention if you're elderly or have had other serious health concerns.

By anon331706 — On Apr 24, 2013

What could be the cause of a low BP and an increase in temperature/pulse and respiration rate?

By anon296332 — On Oct 10, 2012

Recently, my bp has been between 104 and 109. I feel very weak, dizzy, nauseated and get terrible headaches. I've been to the doctor and was prescribed vit 10, ferros, scriptolite and bren400. The meds work for about an hour, and then I feel sick again. What should I do?

By anon279051 — On Jul 10, 2012

What does it mean when the lower reading is 109?

By anon274620 — On Jun 12, 2012

I've been getting dizzy and falling down when I stood up today. I just checked my blood pressure and got 128/87 pulse 103. I feel dizzy and jittery. My heart is pounding right now, 123/94 109.

Since I was small I've always had the blood pressure on occasion where you stand up, get dizzy, and fall down and maybe grey out and be all jittery for a while. I've had some really low readings, like 70s/40s once or twice. And sometimes my heart will skip beats or pound, rarely. My heart is kind of hurting today, and I'm all jittery.

I mentioned it to a doctor once and they said it was in my head. I feel a bit better, now. It was 123/89 85.

By anon267252 — On May 09, 2012

Before my period I get these kind of funny attacks where my chest feels funny - a kind of central pain and a fluttery feeling in my throat. I also go dizzy. Does anyone else get this?

By anon264836 — On Apr 30, 2012

This type of site is very helpful for the patients at the initial stage. Thank you very much for this site and important directions.

By anon263359 — On Apr 24, 2012

I have blood pressure 107/49. What exactly does that mean?

By anon256797 — On Mar 23, 2012

Intoxication caused me to fall over and there were no vital signs. After going to hospital by ambulance they determined my blood pressure dropped bad and when I stood up I passed out. What does this mean?

By anon253542 — On Mar 09, 2012

I take two medicines to lower my bp: norvasc 5 and concor 5 plus, and sometimes during day my bp is 140/90 and before I sleep it's 110/65. Is that's OK, or should I take off one medicine and is that a sign that something is wrong?

By anon245246 — On Feb 04, 2012

Does low blood pressure cause you to know things that have never happened before, but you feel like you been there before or heard it before?

By anon195153 — On Jul 10, 2011

In the past three days my BP has gone from 130/80 to 120/70 to 102/60. What does this mean? Any recommendations?

By anon194905 — On Jul 09, 2011

For those of you with low blood pressure:

I have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). My bp was 40/20 at one point and my heart rate was well over 220 bpm. I have to take florinef to raise my BP and I take Visken to lower my heart rate.

You need to increase your salt intake and drink lots of fluids to help raise your BP. Before exercising drink gatorade or water a half hour before and stay hydrated while exercising. Do more exercises while sitting or lying down, recumbent bike etc.

For those with very low bp, ask your doctor about postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or orthostatic intolerance.

By anon181399 — On May 29, 2011

My blood pressure has been low for the past six months. I keep getting the run around from doctors. No one takes this seriously but it seems like I am having memory problems, and also see things out of the corners of my eyes.

I see dim a lot, and when I eat the dimness gets somewhat better. Last week I saw it was 48/39. This cannot be normal/ I don't know why hypotension isn't taken more seriously! I feel like I am losing my brain.

By anon180607 — On May 26, 2011

110/70 is excellent BP reading. More important is the numeric difference between the systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) readings, which is the pulse pressure. Research suggests that an elevated pulse pressure may be a strong predictor of heart problems, especially for older adults.

Generally, a pulse pressure (top number - bottom number) greater than 60mm Hg is considered abnormal. So if your 'resting' (ideally taken within 15 minutes of waking up and before exerting yourself in any way) BP is 102/60 or 102/66 or even 107/61. These are all within normal ranges.

By anon164116 — On Mar 30, 2011

my blood pressure has been 110/70 and 110/60. Is this all right? I get panic attacks over it.

By anon163197 — On Mar 26, 2011

I get dizzy a lot and black out, usually the day before my period. It's horrible. Any advice?

By anon151813 — On Feb 11, 2011

I have checked my blood pressure, and the reading is 110/70. is this reading OK or is it low blood pressure.

By anon143551 — On Jan 16, 2011

Recently out of the blue I would get dizzy, extremely tired/sleepy, weak, nausea, my face would tingle and I would get very confused. I have to lie down for a few days till I come right

A family friend took my blood pressure when this happened visiting my parents and he said I had low blood pressure. I've notice it seems to happen every time I get my period.

I see a few of you have had this also. Anyone know the link why?

By anon131563 — On Dec 02, 2010

My BP is 40/30 on good days. My HR was 32 bpm and I had to get a pacemaker since it was so low. It helped my HR but not my BP.

I was in the hospital for four months because every time I sat or stood I would pass out and my bladder stopped working properly. I would constantly throw up and my vision was horrible because it looked like everything was moving back and forth 24/7.

They put me on major amounts of salt, meds to up my BP and caffeine pills as well. I'm 31.

By anon104957 — On Aug 18, 2010

My girlfriend had blood pressure around 90/60. I have recently learned manual techniques to bring her to a number of orgasms. She is concerned that this will lower her blood pressure into a dangerous realm. We'd like to know.

By anon99367 — On Jul 26, 2010

I'm arun from bhubaneswar. I'm 21 years old and my doctor said that I have low b.p. it's 100/60. i go to the gym. i want to know if i should avoid exercise or not and what should i take as food?

By anon96074 — On Jul 14, 2010

my blood pressure is normally on the low side. yesterday it was lower. it was 80 over 50. i feel like I'm drunk and have a bad headache. is that something to worry about?

By anon90612 — On Jun 17, 2010

I have checked my blood pressure, and the reading is 102/66. is this reading OK or is it low blood pressure.

By anon88525 — On Jun 05, 2010

I have been very depressed the past month because of in law issues. Very sad. I think low blood pressure can be caused by stress and sadness/depression. It makes me feel like I want to drop on the floor and just lay there. I feel dizzy, incoherent, and fainty. For sure this is from being depressed because I never had this before.

By anon72719 — On Mar 24, 2010

I'm changing my life insurance and needed a physical. The nurse told me I have very low blood pressure: 102/60. She seemed slightly alarmed when she saw the reading. She, too, told me to eat more salty foods.

My mother had a devastating stoke (she died in February) and my father had heart disease. I have no desire to go that route.

I have recently (past seven months) lost 30 pounds and began exercising. I'm worried, but not to the point that I plan to change my lifestyle to any great extent.

I do plan, however, to make an appointment with my family doctor for an overdue physical and blood work.

By anon66566 — On Feb 20, 2010

Hypotension is not necessarily a symptom of disease. If you have simple symptomatic hypotension without an underlying disorder, try eating more salt - in snacks like pretzels, crackers, and the like, or salting your food more.

Even without an underlying disorder, be careful when going from a sleeping to standing position, or sitting to standing. Sit up for 15 - 30 seconds before standing, and stand slowly. If you have some support when first arising, like a bed rail or high night table, it is helpful. Stand for another 15 to 30 seconds before walking.

The difference in BP related to menstrual times may have something to do with the volume of blood related to hormonal changes, but this is just a guess.

By anon51047 — On Nov 03, 2009

I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion for when you have extremely low blood pressure and the doctors say, "just keep an eye on it"? Last week my blood pressure ranged from 73/50 and went down to 53 /30! (* I know...coma stage). Just a little tired and light-headed, but don't know what to do. : (

By anon39735 — On Aug 04, 2009

I went to gym for an assessment before starting a programme. However, I was asked to see the doctor before I could start the programme because my blood pressure was very low at 107/61. I was shocked with my result and I understand why I get tired sometimes but I don't get faint or black out. They said I must not overdo with extreme exercise and I have to take exercise slowly, otherwise I will get faint or dizziness. How can I improve with my blood pressure? Will iron tablets help increase blood pressure and do you think the gym was right for not letting me to do the programme without the doctor's permission?

By uniqueldy — On Jun 09, 2009

I have been under an enormous amount of stress for the past 2 months. Nevertheless for some reason my BP which is normally low (110/70) had dropped considerably the past two(2) weeks. The systolic is running in the low to mid 70's to low 80's and the diastolic is running in the 40's to 50's. Need I say I feel tired all the time, have a headache more often than not and am having chest pain from time to time and my normally low temp. is now elevated. Anyone have an idea what could be going on?

By btrahan — On Oct 29, 2008

Should I be concerned about low blood pressure( 110/61 if I occasionally black out when I stand up quickly?

By anon17244 — On Aug 25, 2008

I've recently been to the doctor and my blood pressure read 107/49 which is apparently really low (I'm not sure if Australia reads blood pressure differently) but it's low enough for me to suffer blackouts (orthostatic hypotension) and I'm wondering if there is anything to help me stay healthy, not raise my blood pressure tremendously to above average, but if there's anything specific I should do?

By anon13710 — On Jun 03, 2008

I also do -about a week before my period & during my period. Why?? I do have low blood pressure as well.

By anon2320 — On Jul 06, 2007

I do too. I think it is low blood pressure because I have low blood pressure a lot.

By anon151 — On Apr 17, 2007

Just before the start of my period I start to feel dizzy and faint. Why is this?

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