Yakk

Sort of a wierd question, but when does low blood pressure become a problem or a matter of concern?

I just used one of those shoppers drug-mart thingies, and got 120/54 with 64 bpm, standing.

The heart beat is a bit up (but the last few times I tested it I was sitting down, that should account for a few BPM), and the BP is a bit down. It was something like 130-140/65 I think.

My fitness levels are higher since the last time I played with one of those.

I don't think I'm in a danger range yet, but was wondering at what level should I get worried?

(oh yes, and genetically, my 50-odd year old father is in slightly above average shape with a resting heart beat in the mid/low 50s.)

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

apeman

dunno really ... do you get that stand up quickly go dizzy thing?

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hannukah harry

well, 120/80 is normal, 140/90 is considered high. you don't have anything to worry about. the top number is your systolic BP, which is the pressure of your heart pumping, the bottom number is the diastolic BP, which is a measure of the resistance to the blood by the vessel walls (not the best way of saying it, but that's the general idea).

i have friends who have bp's of 90/50, but they're also smaller people, tiny girls. low bp is only an issue if you're getting light headed when you get up, or blacking out if you get up too fast. otherwise, you probalby don't have to worry, and unless you end up with a bp of under 100/x, you probably don't have to worry. i just repeated myself. yay!

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raeanna74

The lower your blood pressure, the lower your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and premature death. As a result, everyone should aim to achieve a blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg. But people with cardiovascular disease or other problems that increase risk should aim even lower, for 135/85 mm Hg or less. BGH.com

It sounds like you are within the normal range according to health sources.

Personally my blood pressure tends to run lower, around 100/60. I don't usually experience much trouble. I tend to be anemic too and have to take Iron suppliments. My body responds to stress by dropping my blood pressure. When I slack up on taking my iron and have a stressful situation it can drop even more. One time it dropped so low that I passed out in the middle of college final exams. It was around 57/32 when they first checked it. When it drops low for me I almost always get migrane headaches and will suffer all day with it unless I tend meds for it. Maxalt my meds to help my migrane work by raising my blood pressure as much as 10 points each.

Unless you are having any trouble I wouldn't worry. Ask your Dr about it next time you go in. They are actually telling me that anything over 125 over 75 or so is considered pre-hypertention. Check it out.

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cait987

Hmm, Ive got low blood pressure, and also when I stand up fast I get super dizzy alot of times I have to grab onto something if I was laying down for a while then just suddenly stand, Should I be concerned lol?

fitness wise im active etc and Ive never really been told low blood pressure is bad like high so I just sorta figured it was a natural thing to become dizzy if you sit for a while but maybe it has something to do with my blood pressure?

Yakk

Don't get dizzy from standing up fast. I do remember being able to have fun head-rushes as a younger kid: never dizzy persay, but interesting short cognative effects.

I'm neither small nor a woman, so don't have those excuses.

The diastolic BP was slightly out of the "normal" range on the little computer display thingy, which is why I was a big curious.

From Medline Plus' encyclopedia
Hmm, yet another worry:
From http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/139/9/I-46

except
*sigh*

I'll just ignore it for now. My usual reaction when I do to much research on a subject like this: there is so much contradictory information out there.

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

apeman

hey, if you worry enough you may be able to raise your blood pressure

i think everyone feels dizzy after getting up quickly occassionally, i know i do

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gonadman

There is a difference in the philosophy of treating hypotension between American and European physicians. Most American physicians do not treat low bood pressure unless it becomes symptomatic, which rarely happens unless other cardiac problems are present. Many European physicians tend to treat low blood pressure with "pressor" agents to raise the pressure and thereby maintain it within the given "normal" range

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ibis

Your heart rate is exactly (well within a few digits) as mine. I asked the nurse yesterday if it could get too low. She said not really. "As long as your active you'll be fine"

Not that the medicall staff at my university are experts though. They'll give you the same green pill for a headache and a virus. (yeah, I know about viruses, it's a joke, ok?)

Yakk

So, to those who aren't bored yet, I went and checked my BP/heart rate again. I think I made a mistake. Yesturday I got:
118 / 71 BP
54 BPM heart rate

I suspect, given how the numbers where layed out and what I remember of the other meters, I misread my BP and systolic BP on the first day. =) Plus, genetically, the heart rate of 54 BPM is consistent with my father's.

On the first day, I was probably 120/64, 54 BPM heart rate, and today 118/71 with 54 BPM heart rate.

(and yes, I know how low that heart rate is: I'll use the fact my father has had such a heart rate for years without keeling over and at roughly the same level of fitness I'm at now, and the doctors have said it is wierd but ok, to salve any worry there.)

Thanks for all the information!

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

SparklingDot

The monitors in stores aren't the last word in your BP / HR numbers. You have outside conditions and stimuli that affect it. I usually read no pulse at all with those things. And my mom's BP is usually as low as a child's. Doc tells her that she's fine. She is also quite active and fit. For accuracy, go to the doctor. For fun, go to the market.

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