Low blood pressure (hypotension) means a reading below 90/60 mmHg. Unlike high blood pressure, a low reading is not always a disease — some people live with low readings and no symptoms at all. What matters is whether it causes symptoms, and whether it comes on suddenly.
Symptoms
- Dizziness or light-headedness, especially on standing up quickly.
- Blurred vision or a brief blackout.
- Fatigue and poor concentration.
- Nausea, cold or pale skin.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Fainting in more severe cases.
Common causes
- Dehydration and low fluid intake.
- Standing up suddenly after sitting or lying down.
- Blood loss, visible or internal.
- Heart conditions affecting pumping efficiency.
- Hormonal disorders, including thyroid and adrenal problems.
- Some medicines lower blood pressure as a side effect — never stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own; speak to the doctor who prescribed it.
- Pregnancy, particularly in the early months.
- Severe infection or a severe allergic reaction — these are emergencies.
Why it is more common in women
Pregnancy, iron-deficiency anaemia, heavy periods and thyroid disorders are all more common causes in women. Repeated episodes with fatigue and pallor deserve simple blood tests to find the cause.
What to do during a sudden drop
Lie down and raise your legs slightly, or sit with your head between your knees. Drink water if you are fully alert. Stand up gradually afterwards and move away from hot or crowded places.
Herbal remedies: what is actually true
No herb or drink is a proven treatment for low blood pressure. Claims about specific herbs are not supported by adequate evidence, and some may interact with other medicines. Fluids genuinely help when dehydration is the cause. Adding salt is commonly suggested but is not safe for everyone — it can harm people with heart or kidney disease — so it should only be done on medical advice. Low blood pressure is a symptom, not a diagnosis: the right approach is finding the cause, not raising the number temporarily.
When it is an emergency
Go to the emergency department if a low reading comes with fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion or difficulty speaking, cold clammy skin with a racing pulse, visible bleeding, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Assessment at Town Hospital
Assessment starts with blood pressure measured in different positions and a clinical examination. Your doctor may request blood tests, an ECG or thyroid tests depending on the case, to identify the cause and plan follow-up.