What blood pressure is considered low blood pressure?

Written by Cai Li E
Cardiology
Updated on October 20, 2024
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Systolic pressure less than 90 mmHg and diastolic pressure less than 60 mmHg indicate low blood pressure.

The normal blood pressure range for adult males and females of any age is a systolic pressure between 90 to 139 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure between 60 to 89 mmHg. High blood pressure is defined as having a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. Arterial blood pressure varies among individuals, as well as by age and gender, with a general trend of increasing pressure as age advances, and the increase in systolic pressure is more pronounced than that in diastolic pressure. Before menopause, women tend to have slightly lower blood pressure than men of the same age, but after menopause, their blood pressure generally aligns with or even slightly exceeds that of their male counterparts.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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How to treat low blood pressure?

How to treat low blood pressure depends on the extent of the decrease in blood pressure and the causes of low blood pressure. If the blood pressure is not too low and there are no obvious clinical symptoms, generally, there is no need for pharmacological treatment. What is needed is lifestyle adjustments, consuming high-nutrient foods, proper exercise, increasing the vitality of the heart and the elasticity of the blood vessels, and drinking more broth. If it is caused by severe illness leading to shock, immediate effective medication treatment and rescue are required, starting with the replenishment of blood volume, improving microcirculation, and using vasopressors to raise the blood pressure to a safe range, to ensure the blood supply to the heart, brain, and kidneys. (Note: Doctor’s answers are for reference only. Please follow the guidance of a professional physician for medication use, and do not self-medicate blindly.)

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Is low blood pressure dangerous?

Severe hypotension is very dangerous. Hypotension is a diagnostic indicator of shock. Excessively low blood pressure leads to insufficient perfusion of the microcirculation, especially in vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, which can cause ischemia and hypoxia, leading to the failure of these organs and endangering life safety. Therefore, the occurrence of hypotension, especially severe hypotension, requires active resuscitation. Initially, it is necessary to administer fluids to supplement blood volume and make corrections, while also using some vasopressor medications to treat the disease causing the hypotension, achieving a blood pressure-raising effect to save lives.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What should people with low blood pressure eat?

No matter what the cause of low blood pressure, it is necessary to supplement with nutrients. Therefore, patients with low blood pressure should consume foods high in quality protein such as milk, eggs, lean meat from animals, fish, and shrimp. These foods not only provide high-quality protein needed by the human body but also supply a variety of vitamins and trace elements, enhancing physical constitution. Additionally, consuming more salty soups, vegetable soups, chicken broth, and fish soup can not only provide rich nutrients but also quickly increase blood volume, thereby raising blood pressure.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to deal with low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure in medicine refers to a systolic pressure below 90mmHg and a diastolic pressure below 60mmHg. So, what should one do after being diagnosed with low blood pressure? First, a formal examination is necessary, such as a blood test, to see if anemia might be causing the low blood pressure. Additionally, carrying out a cardiac ultrasound and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for potential heart diseases is advisable. Second, if anemia, heart diseases, or other conditions are ruled out as causes of the low blood pressure, appropriate medication can be taken to raise the blood pressure. For instance, certain traditional Chinese medicines, ginseng, Codonopsis pilosula, Glehnia littoralis, and Pseudostellaria heterophylla, can be helpful. One can take Chinese herbal decoctions under the guidance of a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor to help increase blood pressure. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor; do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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How to treat low blood pressure?

The treatment of hypotension varies based on the cause and the underlying diseases. Mild hypotension without any accompanying diseases can often be managed by nutritional adjustments, proper rest, avoiding overwork, and refraining from staying up late and smoking. These measures can help gradually increase blood pressure. In cases where hypotension is caused by shock, bleeding, or heart disease, treatment should address these conditions while also replenishing blood volume and administering antihypertensive drugs as necessary. Severe hypotension can be life-threatening, thus, acute and severe low blood pressure is considered a critical condition that requires immediate emergency treatment.