

In extreme cases, you may go into shock and require emergency medical attention. If your BP drops dangerously low, key organs (like your brain) may not receive enough blood and oxygen to function properly. But if it gets too low, you might experience low blood pressure symptoms such as feeling lightheaded or dizzy. You may feel fine and require no treatment. So, what happens when your blood pressure is low? In some cases, nothing. Low blood pressure means that the force moving blood around the body is lower than expected. The new blood pressure guidelines for seniors are aimed at encouraging more aggressive treatment at an earlier stage in order to keep blood pressure levels from getting too high.īut sometimes BP levels are actually lower than they should be. In fact, in 2017, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology redefined high blood pressure and how it should be managed in older adults. High blood pressure can be a serious health risk. This pressure is essential to ensuring that your organs and tissues get the oxygen and nutrients they need.īlood pressure commonly rises as we age due to stiffening of the arteries.

Blood Pressure Basicsīlood pressure (BP) is a measurement of the amount of force being used to keep blood circulating throughout your body. Always consult your physician before making lifestyle changes that may affect your health. The information below is not a substitute for individualized medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider.

We are compensated with a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for sales made through the links. And it provides information about different ways that low blood pressure in older adults can be treated or managed. It also describes common symptoms of low blood pressure and outlines a variety of factors that can cause such a condition. This article explains the basic facts about blood pressure, including how it's measured and what the measurements mean. At its most extreme, it can lead to shock and even death. Symptomatic low blood pressure in the elderly can be very dangerous because it raises the risk of a fall. If that happens, you need to take action. While high blood pressure is harmful even if you don't know you have it, low blood pressure is generally not a problem unless you start experiencing symptoms like dizziness or blurred vision.

It's important to know the facts so that you can take proper care of yourself.Ī low blood pressure reading is not necessarily cause for panic. However, blood pressure that drops too low can have equally serious effects on your health. Most people are aware that high blood pressure in seniors can lead to serious medical issues, but low blood pressure in elderly individuals gets far less attention. Low Blood Pressure in Elderly People: The Vital Facts You Should Know
