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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffFor some people, low blood pressure can signal an underlying problem, especially when it drops suddenly or is accompanied by signs and symptoms such as:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting (syncope)
- Lack of concentration
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Cold, clammy, pale skin
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Thirst
When to see a doctor
In many instances, low blood pressure isn't serious. If you have consistently low readings but feel fine, your doctor is likely to monitor you during routine exams. Even occasional dizziness or lightheadedness may be a relatively minor problem — the result of mild dehydration from too much time in the sun or a hot tub, for example. In these situations, it's not a matter so much of how far, but of how quickly, your blood pressure drops.
Still, it's important to see your doctor if you experience any signs or symptoms of hypotension because they sometimes can point to more-serious problems. It can be helpful to keep a record of your symptoms, when they occur and what you were doing at the time.
- Hypotension. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/hyp/hyp_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Low blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3034848. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Kaufmann H, et al. Mechanisms, causes, and evaluation of orthostatic and postprandial hypotension. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Farrell TW. Orthostatic hypotension. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1117880449&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00024-X--s29185&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00024-X--s29185&uniqId=235487260-4. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- African-Americans with high blood pressure need treatment sooner, more aggressively, according to international medical group. American Heart Association. http://www.newsroom.heart.org/index.php?s=43&item=1128. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Kolodony L. Erectile dysfunction. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. 61st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1117886112&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00004-1--sc0065&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00004-1--s1015&uniqId=235487260-8. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Low PA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 16, 2011.
- Sheps SG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 16, 2011.
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