How to Tell If Your Low Blood Pressure Is Dangerously Low? All On Living With Hypotension
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.
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.
Hypotension can result from many factors. Some of the factors that cause hypotension are as follows:
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.
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.
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:
Treatment of hypotension depends on its cause:
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.
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.
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.
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It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Annabelle Gurwitch, an American author, actress, and television host, developed a "a little persistent cough".
Suspecting it to be a COVID symptom, Annabelle went for a check-up. Her doctor alarmingly informed her about something suspicious on her lungs. Soon after, an X-ray and a biopsy confirmed her diagnosis of stage 4 cancer.
But, here's the catch. Annabelle is a non-smoker. She also lived a healthy lifestyle and exercised every day, and felt like she was in really good health, besides the persistent little cough.

Also read:American Author Annabelle Gurwitch Writes New Memoir On Stage-4 Lung Cancer Diagnosis
HealthandMe spoke to health experts to understand how a persistent cough signals the risk of lung cancer.
If you, too, are a non-smoker who is leading a healthy lifestyle and has no medical conditions other than a persistent cough, then you must visit your doctor right away, advised the experts.
"A persistent cough can be an early warning sign of lung cancer, especially when it shows specific features rather than behaving like a routine respiratory illness," Dr Sameer Khatri, Principal Director - Medical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, told HealthandMe.
The doctor noted that the cough becomes suspicious when it persists beyond three weeks without a clear cause or fails to respond to standard symptomatic treatment such as cough syrups, bronchodilators, etc.
"A change in a pre-existing smoker’s cough—for example, becoming more frequent, severe, or different in character—is particularly important. In non-smokers, a new, unexplained chronic cough should not be ignored," Dr. Khatri said.
Certain associated symptoms further strengthen the suspicion of cancer. The most significant is hemoptysis, the coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus, even if minimal.
Other red flags include
Persistent cough also signals the risk of tuberculosis (TB) -- the world's most deadliest infectious disease. Understanding the differences between these two causes is critical for early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Dr Seema Jagiasi from MOC Cancer Care Center told HealthandMe that the cough in TB may sometimes produce blood-tinged phlegm, but it is usually associated with signs of infection, such as fatigue and a general feeling of illness.
TB is more common in younger populations and in individuals with weakened immunity or poor living conditions.
"In contrast, a cough associated with lung cancer tends to be more insidious. It may start as a dry, persistent cough that gradually worsens over time. Unlike TB, it may not initially present with fever or infection-related symptoms," the doctor explained.
Also read: Suffering From Mid-back Pain? Doctors Say It May Be Spinal TB
One of the key differences lies in progression and response to treatment.
TB is treatable with a course of antibiotics, and symptoms often improve within weeks of starting therapy. However, a lung cancer-related cough persists or worsens despite routine medications.
Dr Jagiasi emphasized that any cough lasting beyond three weeks, especially when accompanied by alarming symptoms, should not be ignored.
"Early investigations, such as chest imaging and further diagnostic tests, can help distinguish between the two conditions," the doctor said.
While both TB and lung cancer may present with a persistent cough, their underlying causes, associated symptoms, and progression differ significantly.
The health experts called for more awareness and the need for timely medical evaluation for the effective management of the disease.
Credit: Michael Patrick/Instagram
Irish Actor Michael Patrick, known for his significant role in Game of Thrones, has sadly passed away at the young age of 35.
Sharing the news in a post on social media platform Instagram, his wife Naomi Sheehan shared that Michael Patrick (whom she fondly calls Mick) died after a years-long battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
"Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease on 1st February 2023. He was admitted 10 days ago and was cared for by the incredible team there. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends," Naomi said.
Calling Michael a "titan of a ginger-haired man", she said that “Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are".
Naomi called Michael an "inspiration to everyone."
Also read: Dismissed as Anxiety: Terry Crew’s Wife Rebecca Shares Decade-Long Struggle With Parkinson’s
What Is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
MND is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease. According to NHS UK, it causes muscle weakness that gets worse over a few months or years. It's usually life-shortening, and there's currently no cure, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.
Symptoms of MND include:
It makes everyday tasks such as climbing stairs or gripping objects difficult.
Also read: Grey’s Anatomy Star Eric Dane Dies After ALS Battle
As the disease advances, patients may develop difficulties with breathing, swallowing, and speech, along with changes in mood or personality. In later stages, walking and movement can become extremely limited.
Treatment of MND
About 1,500 people are diagnosed with MND each year, yet treatment choices remain scarce. Only a small proportion of patients currently qualify for therapies that target the disease process itself.
MND can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. But as the symptoms get worse, it can usually be confirmed.
Tests used to help diagnose MND include:
1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Early symptoms include muscle weakness in the arms and legs can cause you to trip and drop things.
2. Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP): It mainly affects muscles in the face, throat, and tongue, causing slurred speech and problems swallowing.
3. Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA): It causes weakness in the hands.
4. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS): Leads to weak legs, sometimes with other symptoms, including speech problems.
Common treatment options for MND include:
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had a significant impact on the eyes, causing conjunctivitis (pink eye), with red, itchy, watery, or painful eyes.
A new study now shows that eye symptoms may also be key in understanding the severity of long COVID, a collection of symptoms that last three months or longer after your first COVID symptoms.
The new study, published in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology, showed that the new onset of eye symptoms in people with long COVID may be an indicator of more severe disease.
Also read: Long Covid Causes Lasting Brain Inflammation And Lung Injury, Reveals Study
Researchers from the Yale School of Medicine analyzed survey data from 595 adults who self-reported having long COVID in surveys conducted from May 2022 to October 2023. They found that nearly 60 percent of people reported new-onset of ocular symptoms.
The findings suggest that ocular symptoms in long COVID may be interpreted as vision-related manifestations that cluster with systemic post-COVID conditions. The symptoms include a new onset of :
Notably, individuals with ocular symptoms reported:
Also read: Long COVID: The Story Of Those Who Are Still Dealing With Symptoms And Illnesses
Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing. While anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop Long COVID, studies have shown that some groups of people are more likely to develop Long COVID than others, including:
While many of the Long COVID conditions remain to be fully recognized, some people have more than one symptom that can be moderate to severe, and also impact the quality of life. According to the US CDC, they include:
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