How low is too low for blood pressure?

[Scout]

When should we be alarmed?

I've been having some readings recently that are really low. Lower than my "normal" lows (low readings for me are usually anywhere from 80/50 - 90/60, or a tad lower.)

For example, over the past week or so, I am getting readings like 70/40. 

I'm always astounded that I'm not blacked out when I get those — sometimes I do "fizzle out", I call it, where I'm starting to black out but still conscious of things, if that makes sense?

Had a moment earlier where my BP was that low and I started to feel a bit confused. A bit just... weird. It stayed that low for a bit and then bounced up high, then back down. 

Thankfully it seems to be OK again now. Around 90/60. 

But I'm just curious how low is... alarmingly low, if we see it as a sustained reading? 

 

[jklass44]

Everyone has a different “normal” but that does seem a little low. If you’re having additional symptoms with the hypotension I would definitely let your doctor know! Maybe he/she will need to make an adjustment in your medications (if you take any).

Have you been less active this week? Any change in your environment? This week has been very warm where I live and my BP has been much lower than usual. Regardless, keep hydrated, and best of luck to you!

[toomanyproblems]

I've taken mine when I was trying to pass out or when I got back to the bed from passing out and it's been really low. I'm almost scared to say it here. The lowest was 50s over 30s and it went on for an hour or so like that. Mine is really all over the place from day to day for no good reason. I don't take anything for it usually unless it's scary extreme. I have both midodrine and clonidine.

[jklass44]

3 hours ago, toomanyproblems said:

I have both midodrine and clonidine.

I’m just curious but why do you take clonidine if you have such severe episodes of hypotension? 

[toomanyproblems]

7 hours ago, jklass44 said:

I’m just curious but why do you take clonidine if you have such severe episodes of hypotension? 

I also have episodes of hypertension. I don't take it unless my diastolic is 110 or so or my systolic over 175. There's rebound hypertension from clonidine so I don't take it unless I really feel it's necessary.

[TCP]

That is low and you need to tell your doctor. I went completely off my legs in 2007 when it got as low as 65/32 the hospital ignored it until I saw the neuro who said that should have raised alarm bells. Keeping hydrated helps 

[htberg]

Mine is low too and gets too low if I stand for too long without moving or am not moving around much (long car rides). Also, oddly, it always gets low at the grocery store. I've had to start racing up and down the aisles to avoid passing out. I've also found there's a pressure spot on the back of my neck that I pinch that also helps. Its not as noticeable to others, like if I'm sitting in a work meeting--don't want to get up and do jumping jacks. Doctors for me just say "Don't you feel like passing out?" when it registers 80/50, but I usually don't have symptoms until it gets lower than that. Hydrating does help.

[MomtoGiuliana]

Interesting that you mention the grocery store.  For the longest time I would get symptomatic when in a grocery store or almost any large store--even before I was diagnosed I would experience feeling unusual when in a large store--and it still happens to me at times.  I have avoided places like Target etc for that reason in general.  I don't know if it is the lighting or what sets it off.  I have felt faint standing in line for longer than 5 minutes at grocery store, but that makes more sense.

[dancer65]

Me too I hate shopping ! My husband does  most of the shopping these days but sometimes he's too busy with work.   I have passed out in tesco so many times at the check out they know my name ! I can go to customer services and they pack my shopping etc , so i can sit down , really excellent staff. 

 I notice the change in temperature in the store around the fridges,  then hot around the bakery area but it's the waiting in the queue that really sets me off . I too have low BP .

I agree  lights are a problem especially florescent,. 

[Pistol]

Yes - me too! I cannot handle big stores at all.  It can be grocery stores, hardware stores,clothing stores etc - I immediately become antsy, even in my wheel chair. I would get completely irate if I had to stand in line! I would freak out! Too many times of loosing consciousness in my memory bank! I no longer subject myself to stores - unless it is brief, husband at my side, wheel chair under my butt.  It is one thing I do not miss!!!!!!

[Scout]

Wow, I have problems in stores as well. Grocery stores especially. Isn't it interesting that we all do? 

For the first time last week, I used one of the complimentary electric mobility scooters at the mall. Booked it in, and was able to go shopping for two hours! I so enjoyed being able to just browse, and go all over the mall. The difference sitting down and zooming around on a scooter makes! I felt so free. 

I did crash when I got home, I suppose from all the mental stimulation and sheer excitement, as well as lifting / using my hands being still very draining, but the flare afterwards was nowhere even near what it would be had I been upright. The longest I can manage in a mall, standing, is mere minutes. So mobility aids sure are amazing. 

Thank you all so much for your replies. I'm seeing my specialist next week so I'm definitely going to discuss these low episodes with her. 

[Guest ANCY]

I have lows and highs but have seen a drastic change this year with a switch from florinef to Northera, I'm a bit more stable. I take clonide for a sustained bp of 155/100 per cardiologist. (I bounce around a lot and frequently the hoghs come down on their own after a while.) I also take Midodrine if im running 110/60 or under with already taken my Northera. My bp drops really low, especially with standing, I pass out somewhere around 65/40 and have had readings as low as 42/20s while unconscious. My mid avg though is around 130/80 so can get symptoms with a drop under 100 systolic.  In the begining this was really scary but a couple years down the road now and have learned to mange it better. I do a liter of iv fluids every day which has been the BIGGEST help by far. 

[DizzyPopcorn]

1 hour ago, ANCY said:

I have lows and highs but have seen a drastic change this year with a switch from florinef to Northera, I'm a bit more stable. I take clonide for a sustained bp of 155/100 per cardiologist. (I bounce around a lot and frequently the hoghs come down on their own after a while.) I also take Midodrine if im running 110/60 or under with already taken my Northera. My bp drops really low, especially with standing, I pass out somewhere around 65/40 and have had readings as low as 42/20s while unconscious. My mid avg though is around 130/80 so can get symptoms with a drop under 100 systolic.  In the begining this was really scary but a couple years down the road now and have learned to mange it better. I do a liter of iv fluids every day which has been the BIGGEST help by far. 

Everyday? You have a port i assume? 

[Guest ANCY]

I actually have a groshong now.  Have had 3 ports previously that all got infected, as well as other central lines... Went with the groshong on recommendation from infectious disease because we can use ethanol in it to try and prevent infections. I've had sepsis 10 times now so would be ideal not to have/need a central line but the difference iv fluids make in my case is indisputable, even for Infectious Disease. I also deal with a lot of gastric issues and so have a feeding tube but still unable to get enough fluids in that way. So there's really two reasons why iv fluids are so helpful for me.