Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsConnectionSymptomsSudden Drops CausesHypotension CausesPreventionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Connection
Symptoms
Sudden Drops Causes
Hypotension Causes
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Blood pressure is the pressure that blood flow exerts on artery walls during theheart’sbeating cycle. Blood pressure that is too high or too low can cause symptoms likeheadaches.
High blood pressure(hypertension) is very common, affecting nearly half of adults in the United States, so much emphasis is placed on preventing and treating it.However,low blood pressure(hypotension) can also cause symptoms, and it can even be a side effect ofhypertension treatment.
This article discusses signs of low blood pressure, including headaches, and ways to prevent low blood pressure.
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Low Blood Pressure and Headaches
A normal blood pressure is considered less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The top number is called thesystolicreading and the bottom number is thediastolicreading. They correspond to the different parts of the heart’s beating cycle.
While there is no specific cutoff for blood pressure to be called hypotension, a blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg in an otherwise healthy person may be considered low.
Headaches can have a range ofcauses. Low blood pressure is just one of many possibilities.
Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can cause the following symptoms:
When Is Low Blood Pressure Dangerous?
Causes of Sudden Drops in Blood Pressure
A sudden drop of blood pressure is more likely to cause symptoms of hypotension, such as headache, fatigue, and dizziness. Sudden drops in blood pressure may be life-threatening, depending on the cause.
Orthostatic Hypotension
Other, more serious causes of a sudden blood pressure drop include the following:
Causes of Chronic Hypotension
While having high blood pressure is much more common than having low blood pressure, long-standing low blood pressure can also contribute to headaches and other symptoms.
Causes of chronic hypotension include the following:
Preventing Low Blood Pressure Headaches
If low blood pressure is found to be a cause of your headaches, there are some steps you can take to keep your blood pressure up.
Hydration
Ensuring that you are well-hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to combat hypotension.
While the amount of necessary fluid intake varies per person based on body weight, activity levels, and environment, one way to ensure you are drinking plenty of water is to pay attention to urine color.Pale yellow urine color is normal, whereas dark-colored urine is an indicator of dehydration.
Nutrition
You may have heard thateating a lot of salt can cause high blood pressure. In fact, the body needs salt to hold onto water. Those who have low blood pressure may benefit from increasing the amount of salt in their diet. Some people with orthostatic hypotension may be prescribed salt tablets for this reason.
Make sure that you are also getting adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, since deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron can contribute to hypotension.
Lifestyle
In addition to hydration and nutrition, some other lifestyle considerations can help prevent hypotension, particularly for those with postural hypotension:
Medications
Discuss medications with your healthcare provider to ensure that none of your current medications could be causing or worsening low blood pressure. There may be alternatives or dosing adjustments that can be prescribed.
In some cases, medicationsmidodrineandfludrocortisonemay be used to help increase blood pressure or help with symptoms of low blood pressure.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Summary
Preventing headaches from low blood pressure includes adequate hydration, proper nutrition, lifestyle considerations, and some medications.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile there is no specific blood pressure reading that defines hypotension, a blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg in an otherwise healthy individual may be considered low. However, some people with heart failure or liver disease may have blood pressures in the 80s, and if they do not have any symptoms from this, it’s not concerning.Learn MoreOverview of HypotensionSevere dehydration can lead to hypotension. This can occur with large fluid losses and insufficient repletion, such as in illnesses causing vomiting and diarrhea.Learn MoreDehydration as a Headache TriggerCertain nutritional deficiencies can contribute to low blood pressure. For example, vitamin B12, folate, and iron deficiency can cause anemia. When severe, deficiencies of these nutrients can lead to hypotension.Staying well-hydrated, ensuring a diet that meets nutritional requirements, and increasing salt intake can help raise blood pressure. Those who experience chronic postural hypotension can benefit from compression stockings and leg exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
While there is no specific blood pressure reading that defines hypotension, a blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg in an otherwise healthy individual may be considered low. However, some people with heart failure or liver disease may have blood pressures in the 80s, and if they do not have any symptoms from this, it’s not concerning.Learn MoreOverview of Hypotension
While there is no specific blood pressure reading that defines hypotension, a blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg in an otherwise healthy individual may be considered low. However, some people with heart failure or liver disease may have blood pressures in the 80s, and if they do not have any symptoms from this, it’s not concerning.
Learn MoreOverview of Hypotension
Severe dehydration can lead to hypotension. This can occur with large fluid losses and insufficient repletion, such as in illnesses causing vomiting and diarrhea.Learn MoreDehydration as a Headache Trigger
Severe dehydration can lead to hypotension. This can occur with large fluid losses and insufficient repletion, such as in illnesses causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Learn MoreDehydration as a Headache Trigger
Certain nutritional deficiencies can contribute to low blood pressure. For example, vitamin B12, folate, and iron deficiency can cause anemia. When severe, deficiencies of these nutrients can lead to hypotension.
Staying well-hydrated, ensuring a diet that meets nutritional requirements, and increasing salt intake can help raise blood pressure. Those who experience chronic postural hypotension can benefit from compression stockings and leg exercises.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.The facts about high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure- when blood pressure becomes too low.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.Juraschek SP, Taylor AA, Wright JT Jr, et al.Orthostatic hypotension, cardiovascular outcomes, and adverse events: results from SPRINT.Hypertension. 2020;75(3):660-667. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14309Dani M, Dirksen A, Taraborrelli P, et al.Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies.Clin Med. 2021;21(1):e63-e67. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0896American Heart Association.Staying hydrated- staying healthy.Lanier JB, Park JJ, Callahan RC.Anemia in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(7):437-442.Robinson, L.J., Pearce, R.M. & Frith, J.Acceptability of non-drug therapies in older people with orthostatic hypotension: a qualitative study.BMC Geriatr.2018;18(1):315. doi:10.1186/s12877-018-0999-5
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.The facts about high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure- when blood pressure becomes too low.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.Juraschek SP, Taylor AA, Wright JT Jr, et al.Orthostatic hypotension, cardiovascular outcomes, and adverse events: results from SPRINT.Hypertension. 2020;75(3):660-667. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14309Dani M, Dirksen A, Taraborrelli P, et al.Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies.Clin Med. 2021;21(1):e63-e67. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0896American Heart Association.Staying hydrated- staying healthy.Lanier JB, Park JJ, Callahan RC.Anemia in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(7):437-442.Robinson, L.J., Pearce, R.M. & Frith, J.Acceptability of non-drug therapies in older people with orthostatic hypotension: a qualitative study.BMC Geriatr.2018;18(1):315. doi:10.1186/s12877-018-0999-5
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Heart Association.The facts about high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure- when blood pressure becomes too low.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.Juraschek SP, Taylor AA, Wright JT Jr, et al.Orthostatic hypotension, cardiovascular outcomes, and adverse events: results from SPRINT.Hypertension. 2020;75(3):660-667. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14309Dani M, Dirksen A, Taraborrelli P, et al.Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies.Clin Med. 2021;21(1):e63-e67. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0896American Heart Association.Staying hydrated- staying healthy.Lanier JB, Park JJ, Callahan RC.Anemia in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(7):437-442.Robinson, L.J., Pearce, R.M. & Frith, J.Acceptability of non-drug therapies in older people with orthostatic hypotension: a qualitative study.BMC Geriatr.2018;18(1):315. doi:10.1186/s12877-018-0999-5
American Heart Association.The facts about high blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Low blood pressure- when blood pressure becomes too low.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.
MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.
Juraschek SP, Taylor AA, Wright JT Jr, et al.Orthostatic hypotension, cardiovascular outcomes, and adverse events: results from SPRINT.Hypertension. 2020;75(3):660-667. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14309
Dani M, Dirksen A, Taraborrelli P, et al.Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies.Clin Med. 2021;21(1):e63-e67. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0896
American Heart Association.Staying hydrated- staying healthy.
Lanier JB, Park JJ, Callahan RC.Anemia in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(7):437-442.
Robinson, L.J., Pearce, R.M. & Frith, J.Acceptability of non-drug therapies in older people with orthostatic hypotension: a qualitative study.BMC Geriatr.2018;18(1):315. doi:10.1186/s12877-018-0999-5
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