Low blood pressure(hypotension) is typically not a serious problem unless it causes symptoms and complications like fainting, dizziness, confusion, and shock.In many cases, simple adjustments to lifestyle, diet, and habits can treat low blood pressure successfully. Sometimes medication may be prescribed to raise the blood pressure to a normal range.
If your blood pressure suddenly drops due to a medical condition, such as bleeding, you will need urgent medical treatment,
Laura Porter / Verywell
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
If your blood pressure is on the low side, making certain changes to your lifestyle can help you raise your blood pressure to healthy levels.
These changes may include:
If you havepostural hypotension, also described as orthostatic hypotension, your blood pressure can drop when you get up to sit from a lying position or stand from a lying or sitting position. Always remembering to make slow adjustments in your body position can help.
It’s also important to be careful to avoid falls. Consider having a walker near your bed as you get used to those first steps in the morning.
Diet
Limiting your intake of certain foods, and increasing your intake of others, can help raise your blood pressure.
If you havepostprandial hypotension, which is low blood pressure that occurs after eating, you can try eating smaller, low-carb, meal portions.This will prevent your digestive system from consuming a higher proportion of your blood flow.
At-Home Monitoring
If you can, buy a blood pressure reading machine, and ask a healthcare professional to teach you how to use it.This will help you keep track of your blood pressure daily, and discover what’s normal for you.
The results will help your doctor know whether your blood pressure is always low or if it drops at certain times (such as after taking medication, in response to body position changes, or after eating).
The 6 Best Blood Pressure Monitors to Use At Home, Tested and Reviewed
Prescriptions
Several drugs are used to treat low blood pressure. The most commonly prescribed of them are fludrocortisone and midodrine.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBlood pressure is typically considered low when it’s below 90/60 mmHg.Low blood pressure can have many different causes, including:MedicationsBlood lossPregnancyEndocrine conditionsHeart diseaseSevere infectionsAllergic reactionYour body could go into shock if your blood isn’t getting enough oxygen to your vital organs. Call 911 or get immediate emergency care if you have low blood pressure with any of the following:NauseaDehydrationHeart palpitationsDizziness, faintingSevere headache, neck or back painCold, clammy, pale skinBlurred visionProblems with concentrationRapid, shallow breathing
Frequently Asked Questions
Blood pressure is typically considered low when it’s below 90/60 mmHg.
Low blood pressure can have many different causes, including:MedicationsBlood lossPregnancyEndocrine conditionsHeart diseaseSevere infectionsAllergic reaction
Low blood pressure can have many different causes, including:
Your body could go into shock if your blood isn’t getting enough oxygen to your vital organs. Call 911 or get immediate emergency care if you have low blood pressure with any of the following:NauseaDehydrationHeart palpitationsDizziness, faintingSevere headache, neck or back painCold, clammy, pale skinBlurred visionProblems with concentrationRapid, shallow breathing
Your body could go into shock if your blood isn’t getting enough oxygen to your vital organs. Call 911 or get immediate emergency care if you have low blood pressure with any of the following:
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.Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure (hypotension).Figueroa JJ, Basford JR, Low PA.Preventing and treating orthostatic hypotension: As easy as A, B, C.Cleve Clin J Med. 2010;77(5):298-306. doi:10.3949/ccjm.77a.09118Harvard Medical School.When blood pressure dips too low.Thompson AD.Postprandial hypotension. Merck Manual.American Academy of Family Physicians.Blood pressure monitoring at home.MedlinePlus.Midodrine.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure-When blood pressure is too low.Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure.Additional ReadingLow Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low. American Heart Association.
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.Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure (hypotension).Figueroa JJ, Basford JR, Low PA.Preventing and treating orthostatic hypotension: As easy as A, B, C.Cleve Clin J Med. 2010;77(5):298-306. doi:10.3949/ccjm.77a.09118Harvard Medical School.When blood pressure dips too low.Thompson AD.Postprandial hypotension. Merck Manual.American Academy of Family Physicians.Blood pressure monitoring at home.MedlinePlus.Midodrine.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure-When blood pressure is too low.Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure.Additional ReadingLow Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low. American Heart Association.
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.
Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure (hypotension).Figueroa JJ, Basford JR, Low PA.Preventing and treating orthostatic hypotension: As easy as A, B, C.Cleve Clin J Med. 2010;77(5):298-306. doi:10.3949/ccjm.77a.09118Harvard Medical School.When blood pressure dips too low.Thompson AD.Postprandial hypotension. Merck Manual.American Academy of Family Physicians.Blood pressure monitoring at home.MedlinePlus.Midodrine.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure-When blood pressure is too low.Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure.
Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure (hypotension).
Figueroa JJ, Basford JR, Low PA.Preventing and treating orthostatic hypotension: As easy as A, B, C.Cleve Clin J Med. 2010;77(5):298-306. doi:10.3949/ccjm.77a.09118
Harvard Medical School.When blood pressure dips too low.
Thompson AD.Postprandial hypotension. Merck Manual.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Blood pressure monitoring at home.
MedlinePlus.Midodrine.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Low blood pressure-When blood pressure is too low.
Cleveland Clinic.Low blood pressure.
Low Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low. American Heart Association.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
