Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to Get HelpNext in Low Blood Pressure GuideHow Low Blood Pressure Is Treated
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to Get Help
Next in Low Blood Pressure Guide
The most common types of chronic or recurrent low blood pressure (hypotension)—orthostatic hypotensionand neurally mediated hypotension—cause faintness, dizziness, and nausea.Other symptoms of chronic low blood pressure include confusion, head or neck pain, and blurred vision.
Dizziness.
Severe hypotension can occur as a result of shock, a serious medical emergency. Without treatment, the effects of shock progressively get worse very quickly and can even be fatal.
This article takes a closer look at the symptoms of low blood pressure. It explains why some people with hypotension experience neck pain, along with when to see a healthcare provider.
Jessica Olah / Verywell
Frequent Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension often causes similar effects, regardless of the cause. Some of the more common symptoms include:
The timing and triggers of the symptoms can differ, depending on the type of hypotension.
Withorthostatic hypotension, you’ll likely experience symptoms soon after you stand up if you’ve been sitting or lying down. And they’ll go away once you resume your previous sitting or lying down position for a couple of minutes. Physical exertion, standing for prolonged periods of time, and warm temperatures can worsen symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.
If you havepostprandial hypotension,you will experience the symptoms right after eating.Withneurally mediated hypotension, the symptoms occur after standing for long periods.
Rare Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Orthostatic hypotension can sometimes cause neck pain, shoulder muscle pain, and/or lower back pain.
Hypotension can also be a sign of shock, an acute medical condition that can occur due to severe illness or blood loss. When hypotension occurs due to shock, other symptoms of shock will occur as well.
Symptoms of severe hypotension linked toshockinclude:
When blood pressure drops too low, the body’s tissues and cells don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. If it’s not treated, vital organs, including the heart and brain, may be damaged.
Shock is a life-threatening condition. Those experiencing symptoms of shock must be treated immediately to prevent fatal outcomes.
Complications of Low Blood Pressure
Orthostatic hypotension can cause you to fall and may potentially lead to injuries.It is also associated with the following conditions:
When Is Low Blood Pressure Dangerous?
When to See a Healthcare Provider or Go to the Hospital
If you have symptoms of low blood pressure, you should discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. Low blood pressure can be successfully treated. Treatment can include medication and lifestyle changes. Getting up slowly when you go from a sitting to a standing position, getting enough fluids, and avoiding excess heat can all help to reduce the frequency of hypotensive episodes.
If you notice the symptoms of shock in yourself or someone else, you should contact emergency services immediately.
Summary
While the timing and triggers of hypotension vary from person to person, the symptoms are similar. Common symptoms of hypotension include dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, confusion, and blurred vision. Hypotension related to shock may cause pale, cold, blue, and sweaty skin, as well as rapid breathing and loss of consciousness. Shock is a medical emergency. If you experience symptoms of shock, get medical attention immediately.
7 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.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Orthostatic hypotension.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - when blood pressure is too low.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Postural hypotension.Harvard Health Publishing.Eating can cause low blood pressure.Vanderbilt University Medical Center.Neurally mediated syncope.Juraschek SP, Daya N, Appel LJ, et al.Orthostatic hypotension in middle-age and risk of falls.Am J Hypertens. 2017;30(2):188-195. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpw108Additional Reading"Low Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low". 2019.Www.Heart.Org.“Orthostatic Hypotension (Postural Hypotension) - Symptoms And Causes”. 2019.Mayo Clinic.“Hypotension| National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute (NHLBI)”. 2019.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov.Reference, Genetics. 2019. “Orthostatic Hypotension”.Genetics Home Reference.
7 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.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Orthostatic hypotension.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - when blood pressure is too low.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Postural hypotension.Harvard Health Publishing.Eating can cause low blood pressure.Vanderbilt University Medical Center.Neurally mediated syncope.Juraschek SP, Daya N, Appel LJ, et al.Orthostatic hypotension in middle-age and risk of falls.Am J Hypertens. 2017;30(2):188-195. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpw108Additional Reading"Low Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low". 2019.Www.Heart.Org.“Orthostatic Hypotension (Postural Hypotension) - Symptoms And Causes”. 2019.Mayo Clinic.“Hypotension| National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute (NHLBI)”. 2019.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov.Reference, Genetics. 2019. “Orthostatic Hypotension”.Genetics Home Reference.
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.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Orthostatic hypotension.American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - when blood pressure is too low.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Postural hypotension.Harvard Health Publishing.Eating can cause low blood pressure.Vanderbilt University Medical Center.Neurally mediated syncope.Juraschek SP, Daya N, Appel LJ, et al.Orthostatic hypotension in middle-age and risk of falls.Am J Hypertens. 2017;30(2):188-195. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpw108
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Orthostatic hypotension.
American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - when blood pressure is too low.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Low blood pressure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Postural hypotension.
Harvard Health Publishing.Eating can cause low blood pressure.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center.Neurally mediated syncope.
Juraschek SP, Daya N, Appel LJ, et al.Orthostatic hypotension in middle-age and risk of falls.Am J Hypertens. 2017;30(2):188-195. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpw108
“Low Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low”. 2019.Www.Heart.Org.“Orthostatic Hypotension (Postural Hypotension) - Symptoms And Causes”. 2019.Mayo Clinic.“Hypotension| National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute (NHLBI)”. 2019.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov.Reference, Genetics. 2019. “Orthostatic Hypotension”.Genetics Home Reference.
“Low Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low”. 2019.Www.Heart.Org.
“Orthostatic Hypotension (Postural Hypotension) - Symptoms And Causes”. 2019.Mayo Clinic.
“Hypotension| National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute (NHLBI)”. 2019.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov.
Reference, Genetics. 2019. “Orthostatic Hypotension”.Genetics Home Reference.
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