What causes low blood pressure and is it serious?
Low blood pressure is often normal and usually not serious. Many healthy people simply run low, especially the young, the fit and the slim, and low numbers without symptoms are usually nothing to fix.
Low pressure matters when it causes lightheadedness, fainting, or fatigue. Common contributors are dehydration, heat, standing quickly, some medicines, and occasionally hormone or heart problems.
Sudden new low pressure with fainting, chest pain or confusion is urgent. Otherwise: fluids, slower position changes, and a medicine review at your next visit.
Source: NHS, low blood pressure
See a doctor promptly if
- Actually fainting, or coming close to it, rather than just feeling light-headed
- Dizziness with chest pain, palpitations, or breathlessness
- Dizziness with black or tarry stools, vomiting blood, or very heavy periods
- New dizziness with slurred speech, weakness on one side, or double vision
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Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS · How we review
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