Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is usually considered a sign of good health and low risk for cardiovascular disease. However, there are times when persistently low blood pressure or a sudden drop can be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs medical attention. Knowing when low blood pressure becomes a problem can help ensure timely intervention and proper care.

Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers:

Systolic pressure (the top number) indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart pumps blood. Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) reflects the pressure in your arteries while your heart is resting between beats.

The normal reading is usually 120/80 mmHg or less. Hypotension is clinically defined as having blood pressure readings less than 90/60 mmHg. In some patients, low blood pressure will have no adverse health consequences and therefore does not need to be treated. In extreme cases, however, it can limit the flow of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs, resulting in potentially life-threatening complications, such as shock.

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension can result from many factors. Some of the factors that cause hypotension are as follows:

• Insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss can lead to decreased blood volume and hence hypotension.
• An injury or internal bleeding may result in hypotension. This happens because blood pressure becomes significantly reduced.
• Some hormonal changes along with the increased blood requirement during pregnancy also causes hypotension.
• Issues like heart failure or arrhythmias can impair blood circulation and result in low blood pressure.
• Certain drugs, including diuretics, antidepressants, and blood-pressure-lowering medications, can induce hypotension.

Symptoms of Hypotension

While low blood pressure may not always cause symptoms, it can sometimes be associated with:

- Dizziness or fainting

- Fatigue and weakness

- Blurred vision

- Nausea

- Confusion or difficulty concentrating

- Shallow breathing

- Palpitations

If the person experiences these symptoms, with the recorded blood pressure reading, the medical services have to be consulted.

Types of Low Blood Pressure

1. Orthostatic Hypotension: This is a kind of hypotension that appears as a result of decreased blood pressure when a person is standing up from lying down or sitting position and primarily affects elderly people.

2. Postprandial Hypotension: This is a drop in blood pressure after eating, more common in older people.

3. Neurally Mediated Hypotension: It is triggered by standing for long periods. This type can affect younger people and is associated with miscommunication between the brain and heart.

When Is Low Blood Pressure Dangerous?

There is no such thing as a universal threshold for very low blood pressure, but a blood pressure reading below 90/60 mmHg can be dangerous and require prompt medical assessment if accompanied by symptoms of fainting, confusion, or shortness of breath. Sudden falls in blood pressure may point to potentially serious underlying causes, which can include:

• Internal bleeding
• Sepsis (severe infection)
• Allergic reactions

Management and Treatment

Treatment of hypotension depends on its cause:

• Hydration Drinking more water can help against dehydration-related hypotension.
• Compression Stockings: These can improve circulation and reduce blood pooling in the lower limbs.
• Dietary Changes: Increasing salt intake under supervision can help increase blood pressure
• Medication Changes: The physician may need to reduce dosages of some medications or replace prescriptions.

For more severe cases, physicians might also administer fludrocortisone or midodrine to increase blood pressure. Shock from hypotension should be treated promptly to ensure proper function of organs.

Can Hypotension Cause Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome has also been associated with low blood pressure. Prolonged tiredness, despite adequate rest, may require reassessment of blood pressure levels. Fatigue secondary to hypotension will impact functionality and thus requires assessment and treatment of the cause.

When to Seek Medical Care

If your blood pressure readings are low consistently and without symptoms, you probably have nothing to worry about. If you do have symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or confusion, you need to go to the doctor. Blood pressure checks are usually conducted regularly. Once you are aware of your own normal baseline, you will know right away when there is something wrong.

Lifestyle Tips That Support Normal Blood Pressure

1. Other than directly treating hypotension, a healthy lifestyle overall would promote balanced blood pressure levels.
2. Exercise regularly; it promotes cardiovascular health and can help regulate blood pressure.
3. Focus on nutrient-dense foods rich in iron, B vitamins, and electrolytes to support circulatory health.
4. Excessive alcohol consumption dehydrates the body and lowers blood pressure.
5. Practices like yoga and meditation can help maintain a healthy blood pressure range.

One particularly vulnerable group across the UK is being strongly advised to receive up to three vaccines this season. This winter has seen a sharp rise in seasonal viruses, with the NHS warning that hospitals and ambulance services are under significant pressure due to higher demand.

This surge is largely driven by the H3N2 flu strain, known as subclade K, which is currently circulating at ‘medium’ levels but with increased activity. The UK Health Security Agency reports that flu-related hospital admissions have climbed to 7.79% per 100,000, up from 4.78% per 100,000 the previous week.

While common winter viruses such as flu, RSV, and whooping cough can cause uncomfortable symptoms for most people, certain groups face a higher risk of serious complications. These include children, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.

Why You Should Get Vaccinated While Pregnant

Flu shots are highly effective at protecting both mothers and their babies, as the body responds differently to infections during pregnancy. NHS guidance notes that pregnant women are more susceptible to complications from viral infections, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.

Infants are also at a higher risk of severe illness if exposed to viruses, which can sometimes result in mothers and babies requiring intensive care. Additionally, infections like flu can increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight, which may raise the chance of stillbirth or neonatal death.

How Vaccines Protect Pregnant Mothers And Their Babies

Vaccination during pregnancy passes protective antibodies to the baby, giving them similar levels of defence against serious illness in the first weeks of life. This applies to vaccines for flu, whooping cough, and RSV, helping shield both mother and newborn.

Vaccines Pregnant Women Aren't Advised To Get

Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid vaccines that contain a live version of a virus, as these could theoretically infect the unborn child. However, evidence shows live vaccines do not typically cause birth defects.

The main exception is when the risk of infection is higher than the potential risk from the vaccine itself. Examples of live vaccines include:

• Yellow fever
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Tuberculosis (BCG vaccine)

Is It Safe To Get A Flu Shot During Pregnancy?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises that anyone who is pregnant during flu season should receive the flu shot, regardless of which trimester they are in.

A flu vaccine during pregnancy can help in several ways:

Lower the risk of flu-related illness during pregnancy

Pregnancy changes how the immune system, heart, and lungs function, which can make flu infections more severe. A flu shot reduces the chance of catching the flu and lowers the risk of needing hospital care if you do get sick.

Reduce risks to the developing baby

Getting the flu, especially early in pregnancy, may increase the risk of certain health problems in the unborn baby. Flu infection has also been linked to a higher chance of birth-related complications.

Protect the baby after delivery

Newborns are more likely to become seriously ill from the flu, but they cannot be vaccinated until they are six months old. Antibodies produced after a flu shot during pregnancy cross the placenta and are also found in breast milk, helping protect the baby in the first months of life.

When getting vaccinated, pregnant women should choose the flu shot, not the nasal spray. The injection uses an inactive virus and is safe at any stage of pregnancy. The nasal spray contains a live virus and is not recommended for pregnant women.

The NHS has released an alert for people taking a widely prescribed medication used by millions across the UK. Diabetes rates are at an all-time high, with the latest data showing more than 5.8 million people currently living with the condition.

Diabetes UK estimates that around 4.6 million people have already been diagnosed. At the same time, close to 1.3 million people are believed to have Type 2 diabetes without knowing it. The number of cases continues to climb, with figures from 2023–24 showing an increase of 185,034 compared to the previous year.

What Is Metformin Used For?

Metformin is most commonly prescribed for people with Type 2 diabetes. It helps lower and stabilise blood sugar levels and is often the first medicine recommended, alongside changes to diet and physical activity. According to Healthline, it is not used to treat Type 1 diabetes.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels become too high. There are three main types. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and is usually diagnosed in childhood. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented or managed through lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, regular exercise, and weight loss. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin for life, while many with Type 2 or gestational diabetes may manage their condition through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

Metformin Warning: NHS Issues Alert

The NHS says that people taking metformin should be aware of certain symptoms. Information published on the NHS website lists six common side effects of the medicine. These include:

• feeling sick
• being sick
• diarrhoea
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• a metallic taste in the mouth

The NHS also notes that metformin can increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Some people may experience low blood sugar, but this usually happens only when metformin is taken alongside other diabetes medicines such as insulin or gliclazide.

However, the NHS warns that there are other, more serious side effects. In two situations, patients are advised to contact their GP “straight away,” while one requires calling 999 “now.”

Metformin Serious Side Effects

According to the NHS, serious side effects are uncommon and affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people. However, medical help should be sought immediately by calling a doctor or dialling 111 if:

you feel generally unwell with extreme tiredness, fast or shallow breathing, feeling cold, and a slow heartbeat

the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin becomes yellow, which may be harder to notice on brown or black skin, as this can indicate liver problems

Metformin Serious Allergic Reaction

In rare cases, metformin can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. The NHS advises calling 999 immediately if:

• your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swell
• you are breathing very quickly or struggling to breathe, including wheezing or feeling as though you are choking
• your throat feels tight or you have difficulty swallowing
• your skin, tongue, or lips turn blue, grey, or pale, which may be easier to spot on the palms or soles in people with darker skin
• you suddenly feel confused, very drowsy, or dizzy
• someone collapses and cannot be woken
• a child becomes limp, floppy, or unusually unresponsive, with difficulty holding up their head or focusing

The NHS adds that you or the affected person may also develop a rash that is swollen, raised, itchy, blistered, or peeling. These signs point to a serious allergic reaction and may require urgent hospital treatment.

The public is being advised to limit close contact with others if they experience flu or Covid symptoms, as the NHS braces for a challenging winter ahead. A mutated, or “drifted”, version of the H3N2 flu strain is fuelling a faster and earlier rise in infections and hospital admissions in 2025. Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, has urged those who are eligible to get vaccinated at the earliest.

He said there are also everyday precautions that can help protect others, especially during the festive season. “If you have symptoms of flu or Covid-19, such as a high temperature, cough, or feeling tired or achy, you should try to reduce contact with other people, particularly those who are more vulnerable. Regular handwashing and good ventilation indoors both make a difference. If you need to go out while unwell, wearing a face covering is worth considering,” he added.

This guidance becomes even more important in the run-up to Christmas, when families tend to gather and older relatives, who face a higher risk of serious illness, are often present.

Flu Symptoms 2025: Less Obvious Symptoms People Often Miss

While many flu symptoms are widely recognised, some are less commonly associated with the illness. The NHS lists ten typical flu symptoms, which often appear suddenly.

Among these, three signs that people may overlook are trouble sleeping, a reduced appetite, and feeling unusually tired or drained. During the busy weeks leading up to Christmas, these symptoms can easily be dismissed as stress or exhaustion rather than flu.

Flu Symptoms 2025: Full List of Common NHS-Listed Signs

The remaining seven symptoms listed by the NHS include a sudden high temperature, body aches, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, diarrhoea or stomach pain, and feeling sick or being sick.

At the same time, the NHS is dealing with added pressure from a surge in winter viruses alongside a five-day strike by resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors. Health leaders and the Government have called on doctors to withdraw the strike, which ministers have described as reckless and irresponsible given the strain on services.

Flu Symptoms 2025: NHS Under Pressure as Winter Challenges Mount

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, as per The Independent, said that strikes within the NHS “undoubtedly” put lives at risk. Speaking to Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, she said, “We want to ensure the NHS is supported through a difficult winter and this flu outbreak we are currently seeing. It is important that everyone understands what is at stake.”

She also pointed to a difference between the position taken by resident doctors’ leadership and the views of individual doctors, noting that the situation remains sensitive as the NHS navigates one of its most demanding winter periods.

Flu Symptoms 2025: Who Can Still Get Vaccinated?

The NHS provides the flu vaccine free of charge to groups considered most at risk of serious illness. This includes people aged 65 and above, those with certain long-term health conditions, and pregnant women, as per the official NHS website.

The offer also extends to care home residents, carers who look after older or disabled individuals or receive a carer’s allowance, and people living with someone who has a weakened immune system. Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible and can usually receive the vaccine through their employer.

Children are included too. A nasal spray version of the flu vaccine is offered to children aged two and three, as well as school-going children from reception through to year 11.

This is because children tend to catch and spread flu more easily. Vaccinating them not only protects their own health but also helps reduce the risk for vulnerable people around them who could become seriously ill.