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Did you know that low BP (blood pressure) or hypotension can be just as dangerous as high BP?
Low BP vs high BP is often a debatable issue in terms of which can be more dangerous and how to differentiate between the two conditions. Detection of both the conditions at the earliest is the best way to prevent further complications.
Learn all you need to know about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of high and low blood pressure.
Table of Contents
What are Hypertension and Hypotension?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common clinical condition where your blood pressure (the force exerted by blood against the walls of your blood vessels) is consistently too high. Based on its causes, high blood pressure is divided into two categories:
Primary (or Essential) Hypertension:
It occurs when blood pressure rises due to loss of elasticity of your blood vessels. Several factors such as age, genetics, obesity, and health conditions including diabetes or kidney disorders are responsible for this.
Secondary Hypertension:
It is a sudden increase in blood pressure due to an underlying health condition or intake of certain medications. It can be more severe when compared to primary hypertension.
Low blood pressure or hypotension is defined as the condition where your blood flows with very less pressure or force through your blood vessels. It means that the blood is not flowing fully to your brain, arteries, and organs.
What Causes High and Low Blood Pressure?
Your blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood pumped by your heart and the resistance in the blood vessels of your heart.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
When the arteries of your heart become narrower due to factors such as formation of plaque (fatty deposits), it becomes difficult for your heart to pump the same amount of blood, resulting in a rise in blood pressure. It usually starts showing with age due to the loss of elasticity of the blood vessels, but can happen at any age as a result of other underlying issues.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can happen due to medical conditions such as heart diseases, endocrine disorders, pregnancy, severe infection or septicemia, dehydration, blood loss, and malnutrition. Another cause of low blood pressure can be the usage of certain medications such as blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and medications for Parkinson’s disease and erectile dysfunction.
Low BP vs High BP Symptoms
Both high BP and low BP, if left untreated, can cause adverse effects on the daily functioning of your body. Therefore, it is important to understand the symptoms of low BP and high BP.
Symptoms of High BP
Most patients with hypertension do not experience severe symptoms. However, some common symptoms can indicate that your blood pressure is high. These include:
Symptoms of Low BP
Low blood pressure symptoms include:
How to Know if Your BP is High or Low?
It becomes hard to visit a clinic or a doctor every time you need to get your BP checked. Nowadays a lot of BP monitoring devices are available in the market for domestic use, so you can easily check your BP on a regular basis. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Your blood pressure reading consists of 2 numbers:
Keep in mind the readings in this table to know if your BP is high, low, or normal.
Source: American Heart Association and the National Health Service To avoid complications, both hypertension and hypotension should not be left untreated if you come across severe symptoms.
How are Hypertension and Hypotension Managed?
High Blood Pressure Management
Hypertension, if not managed early, can cause serious damage to your blood vessels and organs. Its management includes:
1. Medications
2. Lifestyles changes
Low Blood Pressure Management
1. Medications
2. Lifestyles changes
Can Hypertension and Hypotension be Prevented?
Prevention of Hypertension
Leading a healthy lifestyle is a strong shield against hypertension and its damaging effects. Taking these small steps can help prevent high blood pressure and keep it under control.
Prevention of Hypotension
It is usually not possible to prevent hypotension. It is always best to notify your doctor about any symptoms of hypotension so that they can diagnose the underlying condition, if any.
When To See A Doctor?
As hypertension generally does not come with early symptoms, it is crucial for those who have a higher risk of developing the condition to undergo periodic screenings. Annual screenings are recommended for:
Adults aged between 18 to 39 years, individuals with a healthy blood pressure, and those who do not fall into the high-risk category can undergo screenings once every 2 to 3 years. Those who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure will require regular monitoring of their blood pressure and frequent consultations with their doctor. Hypotension is usually not a sign of a serious problem if you do not have any symptoms. However, if you face any of the symptoms of low BP, it is advised to consult a doctor to diagnose the underlying condition.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What blood pressure level is too high?
Your blood pressure levels are considered too high above 140/90 mm Hg, that is, when the systolic blood pressure is 140 mm Hg or higher and the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mm Hg or higher. This condition is known as stage 1 hypertension.
Is low blood pressure better than high blood pressure?
Generally, having a low blood pressure is not a cause for concern if it does not show any symptoms. High blood pressure can cause adverse effects on your blood vessels and organs and increases the risk of developing other chronic conditions.
What is dangerously low blood pressure?
A blood pressure reading below 90/60, that is, systolic below 90 mm Hg and diastolic below 60 mm Hg is considered abnormally low. If low BP is present with symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath etc., tt requires immediate medical attention.
Does anxiety cause high blood pressure?
Anxiety can lead to a temporary hike in your blood pressure. However, it does not lead to long-term hypertension.
What does low blood pressure indicate?
Low blood pressure indicates that the heart, brain and other organs of your body are not getting enough blood. It can be indicative of an underlying condition such as nerve damaged because of diabetes, dehydration (not drinking enough fluids), changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmias) and heart failure.
Can low BP cause headaches?
While many people with low BP may not experience any symptoms, it can cause headache as a symptom.
Can Low BP cause strokes?
Low blood pressure may cause an inadequate flow of blood to the body’s organs and result in a stroke, which is a damage to the brain due to interrupted blood supply.
Can low BP cause anxiety?
Having a low BP may cause anxiety in individuals. It is also to be noted that the symptoms of low blood pressure can be similar to those of anxiety, and include dizziness, nausea, fainting, and difficulty concentrating.