Most people are aware that high blood pressure in seniors can lead to serious medical issues, but low blood pressure in elderly individuals gets far less attention. However, blood pressure that drops too low can have equally serious effects on your health. It's important to know the facts so that you can take proper care of yourself.
A low blood pressure reading is not necessarily cause for panic. While high blood pressure is harmful even if you don't know you have it, low blood pressure is generally not a problem unless you start experiencing symptoms like dizziness or blurred vision. If that happens, you need to take action. Symptomatic low blood pressure in the elderly can be very dangerous because it raises the risk of a fall. At its most extreme, it can lead to shock and even death.
This article explains the basic facts about blood pressure, including how it's measured and what the measurements mean. It also describes common symptoms of low blood pressure and outlines a variety of factors that can cause such a condition. And it provides information about different ways that low blood pressure in older adults can be treated or managed.
Blood Pressure Basics
Blood pressure (BP) is a measurement of the amount of force being used to keep blood circulating throughout your body. This pressure is essential to ensuring that your organs and tissues get the oxygen and nutrients they need.
Blood pressure commonly rises as we age due to stiffening of the arteries. High blood pressure can be a serious health risk. In fact, in 2017, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology redefined high blood pressure and how it should be managed in older adults.
The new blood pressure guidelines for seniors are aimed at encouraging more aggressive treatment at an earlier stage in order to keep blood pressure levels from getting too high.
But sometimes BP levels are actually lower than they should be. Low blood pressure means that the force moving blood around the body is lower than expected. So, what happens when your blood pressure is low? In some cases, nothing. You may feel fine and require no treatment. But if it gets too low, you might experience low blood pressure symptoms such as feeling lightheaded or dizzy. If your BP drops dangerously low, key organs (like your brain) may not receive enough blood and oxygen to function properly.
In extreme cases, you may go into shock and require emergency medical attention. Severe, prolonged low blood pressure can be fatal if it results in bodily organs being starved of essential nutrients.
How blood pressure is measured and what the readings mean
An older man in a white button-up shirt wearing a blood pressure cuff while an unseen person holds a stethoscope to his arm Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, with one "over" the other. The first, or top, number is the systolic blood pressure. This indicates the amount of pressure your blood exerts against the walls of your arteries when your heart contracts. The second, or bottom, number is the diastolic pressure, which refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart refills between beats.
Your healthcare provider typically measures your blood pressure using a stethoscope and an inflatable cuff that wraps around your upper arm. The cuff is inflated until it is tight enough to stop the blood from flowing, then it is slowly deflated. Through the stethoscope, your doctor or nurse will hear the whooshing sound of the blood returning; this is the systolic pressure. The moment the whooshing sound disappears marks the diastolic pressure.
The commonly accepted ideal blood pressure for adults is 120/80 mm Hg or lower. (The "mm Hg" represents millimeters of mercury, which refers to the gauges used to measure pressure.) But since blood pressure naturally rises with age, your BP might be higher than that without any cause for concern. For instance, according to a chart from Disabled World, a normal blood pressure reading for an 80-year-old woman could be 134/84 mm Hg.
So, what is considered low blood pressure in elderly people? Typically, the low blood pressure range is anything below 90/60 mm Hg. This is called hypotension. The Disabled World chart shows that a dangerous blood pressure level is 50/33 mm Hg. Keep in mind that only one of the numbers has to be below the healthy range in order to qualify as low blood pressure. So, for instance, if your top number (the systolic pressure) is 90 or less, you may have low blood pressure, no matter what your bottom number is.
Many medical experts believe that the most important number in blood pressure is the top one (i.e., the systolic pressure). That's because research has shown that your risk of heart disease and stroke is greater when you have elevated systolic pressure. However, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that both types of elevated pressure influence your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
A low systolic number means that your organs and tissues may not be getting enough blood and oxygen, but a low diastolic number indicates that there may not be enough pressure in your coronary arteries to adequately nourish your heart. It's important to understand that your readings can vary depending on factors like your stress level, body position, physical condition, medications, and diet. In fact, your levels can fluctuate as much as 30 or 40 mm Hg over the course of the day. They will be lowest when you rest and higher when you exercise or experience stress.
That's why, in order to accurately compare readings, it's essential to measure your blood pressure in similar circumstances every time. Blood pressure is also very individualized. A level that is too low for someone else might be typical (and healthy) for you. However, you should worry about low blood pressure when you experience related symptoms.
Blood pressure vs. heart rate
Blood pressure and heart rate are both important indications of how well your heart is working, but they measure different things. As noted above, blood pressure is the force of your blood flowing through your arteries. By contrast, heart rate (or pulse) is the number of times your heart beats each minute. In adults, the heart typically beats 60 to 100 times per minute while at rest. But as with blood pressure, a healthy heart rate will differ between individuals.
For instance, a pulse below 60 beats per minute is slower than normal, but it might not cause any issues for you. (It might even be a sign that you are in really good physical shape.) However, in some situations, a low pulse means that the heart is not circulating enough blood to satisfy the body's needs. That can cause you to feel dizzy and weak. A pulse in the 30s is a dangerously low heart rate and should be investigated. The relationship between blood pressure and heart rate is complex. If you're concerned about your numbers, see your doctor.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure in Elderly Individuals
As long as you feel OK, a low blood pressure reading is generally nothing to worry about. Doctors are not usually concerned about a low BP in otherwise healthy individuals. So, when is blood pressure too low? You should see your healthcare provider if you experience hypotension symptoms such as:
Dizziness
Blurry vision
Fatigue Fainting (known as syncope)
Confusion or inability to concentrate
Nausea
An irregular or rapid heartbeat
Weakness Pale, cold, clammy skin
Shallow breathing
A condition called orthostatic or postural hypotension is common among seniors. It's when a temporary, sudden drop in blood pressure happens after a rapid change of position, such as when you go from lying down or sitting to standing.
Under normal circumstances, some blood pools in your legs when you stand up, but your body compensates by telling your heart to beat faster. If such compensations are delayed or do not take place at all, your blood pressure can drop rapidly. That can cause you to become dizzy. Some estimates suggest that up to 50 percent of elderly adults experience orthostatic hypotension.
You may also become dizzy due to a sudden drop in blood pressure after eating, especially if you've had a large meal involving lots of carbohydrates. This is called postprandial hypotension. It, too, commonly affects older adults. It's particularly prevalent among seniors who have disorders that affect the autonomic nervous system, such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
A variety of factors can explain low blood pressure readings. For instance, dehydration can cause low blood pressure because it reduces blood volume. Diabetes can cause low diastolic pressure but high systolic pressure. And conditions like bradycardia (a very low heart rate) can keep the heart from pumping enough blood to maintain adequate pressure.
Medications are also a common cause of low blood pressure in elderly folks. Drugs that are used to treat high blood pressure, including diuretics, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, and beta blockers, can go too far and cause hypotension instead. In addition, some prescription medicines for depression (such as imipramine and doxepin), erectile dysfunction (such as tadalafil and sildenafil), and Parkinson's disease (such as levodopa and dopamine agonists) can trigger low blood pressure.
Other low blood pressure causes can include:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
An underactive thyroid
Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands)
Excessive heat
Extended bed rest
Anemia due to lack of vitamin B-12 and folate
Major blood loss
A sudden drop in blood pressure can be caused by severe infections, anaphylactic reactions, uncontrolled bleeding, or extreme dehydration due to fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. The plunge in blood pressure caused by such factors can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
To identify the cause of your low BP, your doctor may conduct:
A blood test to check for anemia or issues with your blood sugar levels.
An echocardiogram to obtain images of the shape and size of your heart and see how well it is functioning.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) to look for abnormalities in your heart's rhythm and pulse rate.
An exercise stress test to assess your heart's performance during periods of physical activity.
The Valsalva maneuver, which involves monitoring your blood pressure while you take a deep breath and attempt to blow out against your closed mouth. This allows your healthcare provider to check for issues with your autonomic nervous system.
A tilt table test, in which you are hooked up to blood pressure monitors and an ECG machine, then secured to a table that can rapidly switch you from a horizontal to an upright position. This enables your doctor to see how your blood pressure responds to the changes in your body position.
Treatment for Low Blood Pressure in Elderly People
If you aren't bothered by symptoms of low blood pressure, treatment is likely unnecessary. After all, a low BP on its own is not usually a problem. In fact, it's often taken as a sign of good health. But if it's affecting your well-being, you need to take steps to address it. Low blood pressure is treated in the elderly by first determining the underlying cause.
If your low BP is a result of your medication regimen, your doctor may be able to adjust your dosages or change your meds. (If you find it difficult to keep your meds organized, a pill dispenser for seniors could help.) If dehydration is the culprit, fluid replacement may solve the problem. In some cases, you may require medication specifically for your low BP.
Two of the most commonly prescribed medicines are fludrocortisone and midodrine. Fludrocortisone is a steroid that causes the body to retain sodium and fluid, thus increasing blood volume and raising blood pressure. Midodrine causes your blood vessels to resist expanding, thereby boosting blood pressure.
However, many people are able to manage their hypotension through diet and lifestyle changes rather than medical interventions. Here are some tips on how you can fix low blood pressure:
Drink more water. Consuming additional fluids can boost blood volume and prevent dehydration. Having a glass of water before you stand up or at the end of a meal can sometimes help avoid sudden drops in blood pressure. Sport drinks containing electrolytes can also help, but try to avoid ones with high amounts of sugar.
Limit the booze. Alcohol is dehydrating and can drive your blood pressure even lower.
Eat smaller meals more frequently. Going too long between meals can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. And indulging in heavy meals can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure as the blood moves from your brain to your intestines to help you digest your food. As a general guideline, it's a good idea to eat small amounts five or six times a day.
Choose your diet carefully. Cutting back on carbs (especially refined carbs such as white bread and pasta) may help keep you from feeling dizzy after you eat. Plus, foods that are high in folate and vitamin B-12 can help alleviate low blood pressure that is caused by anemia. Asparagus, legumes, leafy greens, eggs, and fortified cereals are good choices.
Increase your salt intake. Salt causes your body to retain fluid, which raises your blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend taking salt tablets or adding a bit of salt to your meals. Carrots, beets, and olives are a few examples of foods that have naturally higher levels of sodium. But be aware that potassium-rich foods like apricots and bananas lower blood pressure by causing you to lose sodium through your urine.
Make slower transitions. Change positions slowly and gradually. If you're lying down, sit up and dangle your feet or march your feet gently for a couple minutes before you try to stand. Once you're on your feet, stay still for a bit until you feel steady enough to walk.
Wear compression stockings. They promote better circulation by compressing the leg veins. This keeps blood from pooling in your lower legs and shifts it toward other areas of the body. Styles for both men and women are available.
Don't overheat. High temperatures cause blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure. Plus, sweating out fluids can cause reduced blood volume and dehydration. So be careful to stay out of the sun and don't do anything too strenuous when it's really warm. Avoid spending long periods of time in hot tubs or saunas. You might also want to keep a nonslip chair in the shower in case you feel dizzy.
Get a Handle on Your Health
Low blood pressure in elderly people has a wide variety of causes and effects. The information above can help you understand the danger signs and take appropriate steps to safeguard your well-being.
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Content Credits: Great Senior Living