Blood pressure - low

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Effects of age on blood pressure

Overview

Treatment

Blood pressure - low

Alternative Names:

Hypotension; Low blood pressure
Home Care:

Follow prescribed therapy. Bed rest and assistance with daily activities as needed until the condition improves.

Call your health care provider if:

text continues below

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if someone is unconscious. If trained in basic life support (BLS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), check the person's ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation). If the person is NOT breathing or has NO pulse, begin CPR.

Call your doctor immediately if you:

Feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
Have black or maroon stools
Have chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, fever higher than 101 degrees, headache, stiff neck, or severe upper back pain

Also call your doctor if you have:

Cough with phlegm
Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting
Inability to eat or drink
Burning with urination or other urinary symptoms
You are taking any new medications

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

In emergencies, the seriousness of the condition will be determined first. Then, the health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination.

Frequent monitoring of vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) and/or hospitalization may be necessary.

Medical history questions documenting low blood pressure may include the following: