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For some people, low blood pressure may be a symptom of an underlying health condition. That's especially so when blood pressure drops suddenly or when low blood pressure occurs with symptoms. A sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous. A change of just 20 mm Hg can make you feel dizzy or faint.
If the cause of low blood pressure isn't clear or if no treatment exists, the goal is to raise blood pressure and relieve symptoms. Depending on your age, health and the type of low blood pressure you have, there are various ways to do this: Use more salt.
This blood pressure chart can help you figure out if your blood pressure is at a healthy level. It also can help you understand if you need to take some steps to improve your numbers. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms appear. Without treatment, high blood pressure can lead to disability, a poor quality of life, or even a deadly heart attack or stroke. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
In general, diastolic blood pressure is considered to be low if it is 60 millimeters of mercury or less. Normal blood pressure varies from one person to another though. If your diastolic blood pressure is consistently below 60 millimeters of mercury, but you aren’t experiencing any problems from it, you may not need to do anything.
Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis. Seek emergency medical help for anyone with these blood pressure numbers. Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems.
Heavy alcohol users who cut back to average drinking can lower their top number in a blood pressure reading by about 5.5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their bottom number by about 4 mm Hg. If you have high blood pressure, do not drink alcohol or don't drink much alcohol.
Orthostatic hypotension — also called postural hypotension — is a form of low blood pressure that happens when standing after sitting or lying down. Orthostatic hypotension can cause dizziness or lightheadedness and possibly fainting. Orthostatic hypotension can be mild. Episodes might be brief.
Hyponatremia is the term used when your blood sodium is too low. Learn about symptoms, causes and treatment of this potentially dangerous condition.
A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe increase in blood pressure. The blood pressure reading is 180/120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater. A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. It can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening health problems.