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.

Researchers found how a cell’s energy source could affect depression and anxiety. The new study published in JNeurosci, led by Southern Medical University, was done on male mice. Researchers discovered that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the cell’s main energy source and a vital chemical messenger that helps communication between neurons, plays a part in depression and anxiety.

Because good brain cell communication is vital for controlling feelings, the study focused on the hippocampus, a brain area linked to memory, stress, and feeling depressed.

For years, scientists have looked for reasons behind mental health issues like depression and anxiety. While we may know that mental health disorders are caused due to different reasons, researchers have looked into how depression and anxiety stressors are communicated to the brain.

Mental health disorders do not have a single cause. According to the UK Mind organization, there are many different factors that can cause depression or trigger it. Things like childhood depression, life events, physical health problems, family history. So, understanding how this changes in mood and heightened emotions are communicated to the brain, could help us learn more about the root causes of depression as well.

How Does Stress Affect Depression And Anxiety?

Researchers studied what happened to ATP in the hippocampus when mice were under stress. They found that male mice who became more anxious or depressed after long-term stress also had lower levels of ATP.

These mice also had less of a key protein called connexin 43 (Cx43). Think of Cx43 as a tiny door that lets ATP out of cells so it can be used for communication. When Cx43 is low, ATP can't be released properly.

To prove that low ATP release was the problem, researchers did two things:

They lowered Cx43 (the "door") in healthy mice that hadn't been stressed. Even without stress, lowering Cx43 caused the mice to act depressed and anxious, and their ATP levels dropped. This showed that just blocking the ATP release was enough to cause mood problems.

They put Cx43 back (fixed the "door") in the stressed, depressed mice. When they did this, the ATP levels went back up, and the mice's anxious and depressed behaviors got much better.

What Causes Depression and Anxiety?

The lead researcher, Gao, explained that this is the first time scientists have shown that low ATP release in the hippocampus drives both depression and anxiety—suggesting they share one single biological cause.

This is important because depression and anxiety often happen together and are hard to treat at the same time. The study suggests that future treatments could focus on improving ATP signaling by fixing or opening the Cx43 "door," potentially helping people with both conditions at once. The team plans to study female mice next to see if the same process happens in both sexes. Researchers mentioned how these finding can lead to better treatment options for people who have depression and anxiety. More focused studies will also help reveal how mental health issues are different in men and women, as they expand the research across sexes.

Women who skip their first breast cancer screening may face a 40% greater risk of dying from the disease over the long term, according to a new study. The research, published in September in The BMJ, followed more than 400,000 women in Sweden over a span of up to 25 years.

When Should Women Begin Breast Cancer Screening?

The study raises important questions: at what age should women start screening, why does missing the first appointment increase long-term risk, and what other tests or self-checks might help? Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University, weighed in on these points.

As per CNN, Wen explained that in the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death. In 2022, over 279,000 new cases were reported in women, and more than 42,000 women died from the disease in 2023.

Globally, a report from February, as per CNN, indicated that 1 in 20 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Researchers estimate that by 2050, annual diagnoses could reach 3.2 million, with 1.1 million deaths worldwide.

When breast cancer is found and treated in its earliest stage, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99%, according to the American Cancer Society. Once cancer spreads to other organs, the survival rate drops to around 32%.

When Should Women Start Screening For Breast Cancer?

Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that most women begin mammograms at age 40 and continue every two years until age 74. Women over 75 should decide in consultation with their primary care provider.

For women at higher risk, screening may need to start earlier or occur more frequently. High-risk factors include prior chest radiation, certain genetic mutations, and having a first-degree relative, such as a mother or sister, with breast cancer.

The Swedish study tracked 432,775 women over up to 25 years. Nearly one-third of women invited for their first mammogram did not participate. Those who skipped the first screening were also less likely to attend future screenings and more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages.

The study found that women who missed the initial mammogram were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and 3.6 times more likely for stage 4, compared to those who attended. After 25 years, death rates from breast cancer were significantly higher among the initial nonparticipants.

Researchers noted that while the findings reflect Sweden’s healthcare system, the principle that missing initial screenings increases long-term risk likely applies worldwide. An editorial in the same journal emphasized that attending the first mammogram is a long-term health investment, not just a routine check.

Why Does Delaying First Breast Cancer Screening Increase Long-Term Risk?

Wen highlighted that women who skip the first screening often continue to miss subsequent exams. Factors such as lack of awareness, access challenges, fear, and cultural influences may contribute. Late-stage diagnosis leads to lower survival rates and higher mortality.

Mammograms remain the standard screening tool for women at average risk. Higher-risk women may benefit from additional tests, such as genetic testing, breast MRI, or ultrasound. Women with dense breast tissue should discuss supplemental tests with their healthcare provider, as mammograms are less effective for detecting cancer in dense tissue.

What About Breast Self-Exams?

Self-exams are not a replacement for mammograms but can help women notice changes in their breasts. If a lump or other unusual symptoms appear—such as nipple discharge, pain, swelling, color changes, inward-turning nipple, enlarged lymph nodes, or skin changes—women should consult a healthcare provider immediately.

How Can Women Reduce Their Risk Of Breast Cancer?

Lifestyle factors play a major role. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity increase risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a nutritious diet, quitting smoking, and moderating alcohol intake can all lower the risk and improve overall health.

We all indulge in tasty meals from time to time and with the holiday season approaching, many of us will be enjoying larger-than-usual meals. But going overboard can raise the risk of certain health problems, including heart attacks, especially for those with chronic health conditions.

“If you’re young and healthy, a single large meal is unlikely to trigger a heart attack, but for the right population, it can certainly increase the risk,” said Ameya Kulkarni, a cardiologist at Kaiser Permanente, as per The Washington Post.

Heart disease is the top cause of death in the United States, with someone experiencing a heart attack roughly every 40 seconds. That adds up to over 800,000 people annually, according to the CDC.

Heavy Meals Can Trigger Heart Risk

In 2000, a study abstract presented at an American Heart Association conference revealed that an “unusually heavy meal” may increase the risk of a heart attack by about four times in the two hours after eating, which the authors called the “hazard period” - particularly in those with pre-existing heart disease.

The participants described their meals as “heavy.” The abstract wasn’t published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Similarly, a 2005 analysis of 17 studies found that heavy physical activity, eating, and emotional stress were some of the common triggers reported before a heart attack. Men were more likely to report exertion and eating, while women often reported emotional stress.

Big Meals Stress The Heart

Eating a large, high-fat, high-calorie meal is similar to extreme physical exertion for your heart. To digest all that food, blood is redirected to your digestive system. Blood vessels tighten, heart rate and blood pressure rise, and blood flow to the heart can be limited, said Steve Kopecky, a cardiologist and professor at Mayo Clinic.

That spike in blood pressure can rupture cholesterol plaques in the arteries, forming clots. Even the fatty meal itself — think buttered potatoes, gravy, and heavily marbled meats — can make your blood more prone to clotting.

“These factors together can lead to a heart attack a few hours later,” Kopecky explained.

Who Is Most At Risk?

Certain conditions raise heart attack risk, including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity, as well as lifestyle habits like poor diet, inactivity, or smoking history. For people with these risk factors, a large meal could act as a trigger, just like emotional stress or heavy physical activity, such as shoveling snow, said Kulkarni, also president of the AHA’s Greater Washington Region Board of Directors.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

• Chest pain or pressure in the center or left side of the chest that persists for several minutes or comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, jaw, neck, back, or above the stomach.
• Shortness of breath without physical activity.
• Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or sudden cold sweats.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Fast or irregular heartbeat.

Tips For Safer Indulgence

• Enjoy indulgent foods, but balance your plate with healthy options. Aim for half your plate to be fruits and vegetables, a quarter protein, and a quarter starch, Kulkarni said. Start with a salad, then add whole foods like turkey with a modest portion of stuffing, beans, or sweet potatoes.
• Eat slowly. It can take up to 20 minutes for your brain to register fullness, so eating quickly can lead to overeating. Treat meals as a social event and savor the time with family and friends.
• Limit alcohol. Drinking can increase appetite and reduce self-control, leading to eating more.
• Stop when you feel full. Skip that second helping once you’ve had enough.
• Take a walk after meals. Walking can help reduce triglycerides, regulate blood pressure, and lower blood sugar, Kopecky said.

Large meals high in saturated fats, calories, and processed carbs can increase heart attack risk for people with underlying health conditions. But with moderation, adding healthy foods to your plate, and skipping extra servings, you can enjoy your meals while lowering your risk.