Signs of low blood pressure
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Signs of Low Blood Pressure
Common Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Fatigue and Tiredness
Fatigue and persistent tiredness are frequently reported symptoms among individuals with low blood pressure. Studies have shown a significant negative association between systolic blood pressure and self-reported tiredness, particularly in women under 50 years old1. This association persists even after adjusting for confounding factors such as age, sex, and body mass index1 3.
Dizziness and Feeling Faint
Dizziness and a sensation of feeling faint are also commonly associated with low blood pressure. Research indicates that there is a significant relationship between low systolic blood pressure and symptoms of dizziness or giddiness, especially in men3. These symptoms are often secondary to the primary disturbance in mental state associated with low blood pressure3.
Headaches
The relationship between low blood pressure and headaches is less clear. Some studies suggest a negative association between systolic blood pressure and headaches, but this relationship is often confounded by age and other factors1. Other research has found no significant association between low blood pressure and headaches2.
Palpitations
Palpitations are another symptom that has been studied in relation to blood pressure. While some studies have found a positive association between high blood pressure and palpitations, the evidence linking low blood pressure to palpitations is not strong1 2.
Cold Limbs and Reduced Drive
Individuals with chronic low blood pressure often report symptoms such as cold limbs and reduced drive. These symptoms are thought to be related to alterations in autonomic cardiovascular regulation, including increased baroreflex sensitivity and reduced sympathetic influences on cardiovascular control4 7.
Psychological Symptoms
Anxiety and Depression
Low blood pressure has been linked to various psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression. There is a strong inverse relationship between systolic blood pressure and general health questionnaire scores, indicating that individuals with low blood pressure may experience minor psychological dysfunctions3 8. These psychological symptoms are often secondary to the primary disturbance in mental state caused by low blood pressure3.
Autonomic Dysregulation
Baroreflex Sensitivity and Sympathetic Control
Chronic low blood pressure is associated with autonomic cardiovascular dysregulation. Studies have shown that individuals with low blood pressure exhibit increased baroreflex sensitivity and reduced sympathetic control, which may contribute to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and cold limbs4 7. These autonomic changes represent a counter-regulatory response to maintain blood pressure at an individual set point4.
Conclusion
Low blood pressure is associated with a range of symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, headaches, palpitations, cold limbs, and psychological disturbances such as anxiety and depression. These symptoms are often related to autonomic cardiovascular dysregulation and may be secondary to primary disturbances in mental state. Understanding these associations can help in the management and treatment of individuals experiencing symptoms related to low blood pressure.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Symptoms of low blood pressure: a population study.
Low blood pressure is associated with persistent tiredness, but treatment is not suggested due to potential opposite effects on mortality and morbidity.
Observational Study
Highly CitedA Study of Relation Between Symptoms and Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure has no association with common symptoms like fatigue, palpitation, headache, and dizziness, but high blood pressure has positive associations with palpitation and headache.
Observational StudyLow blood pressure, low mood?
Low systolic blood pressure is strongly linked to minor psychological dysfunction, with associated physical symptoms being secondary to the primary disturbance in mental state.
Observational StudyHighly CitedModulations of autonomic cardiovascular control following acute alpha-adrenergic treatment in chronic hypotension
Acute alpha-adrenergic treatment, such as midodrine, may not reduce chronic hypotension symptoms but may exacerbate autonomic dysbalance.
RCTSome Observations on Low Blood-pressures
Low blood-pressure in patients with no specific disease is often accompanied by improvement in subjective sensations and objective physical signs, and this improvement is often accompanied by a rise in blood-pressure.
Management of low blood pressure in ambulatory heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients
Maintaining the same drug dosage in non-severe and asymptomatic cases of hypotension in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction is recommended, while decreasing blood pressure reducing drugs not indicated in HFrEF and loop diuretic doses in absence of congestion.
Highly CitedAutonomic Cardiovascular Dysregulation at Rest and During Stress in Chronically Low Blood Pressure
Chronic low blood pressure is associated with reduced beta-adrenergic myocardial drive and baroreflex-related mechanisms, leading to insufficient organ perfusion and deficient cardiovascular adjustment to situational requirements.
Non-RCTPsychological aspects of high and low blood pressure
Low blood pressure is linked to the same psychological symptoms previously associated with high blood pressure, such as headaches, dizziness, tiredness, anxiety, and depression.
Low blood pressure and depressive symptoms among Chinese older subjects: a population-based study.
Low blood pressure is independently associated with depressive symptoms in both older adults treated for hypertension and those not treated for hypertension.
Observational StudyAssociation of low blood pressure with suicidal ideation: a cross-sectional study of 10,708 adults with normal or low blood pressure in Korea
Low blood pressure is significantly associated with suicidal ideation in the general Korean population, with the association increasing as the criteria for low blood pressure becomes stricter.
Observational Study
Rigorous Journal