What is a blood pressure of 102 over 48? Is it good or bad? Get the facts about this low blood pressure reading and how to measure and monitor your blood pressure.

Understanding a Blood Pressure of 102/48

A blood pressure reading of 102/48 is considered low blood pressure, or hypotension. According to the American Heart Association, low blood pressure is defined as a systolic (top number) reading of less than 90 or a diastolic (bottom number) reading of less than 60. While low blood pressure is generally not an issue unless it causes symptoms like dizziness or fainting, it’s still important to understand what this reading means and how it can impact your health.

What Is Considered a Normal Blood Pressure?

The American Heart Association defines a normal blood pressure reading as anything lower than 120/80. Anything above 130/80 is considered high blood pressure, or hypertension. So a reading of 102/48 falls well below the normal range and is considered low blood pressure.

How to Measure Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is traditionally measured in a doctor’s office using a sphygmomanometer, which consists of an inflatable cuff and pressure meter. The cuff is placed around the upper arm, inflated, and then gradually deflated as the doctor or nurse listens to the brachial artery with a stethoscope. The reading on the pressure meter when the first sound of blood flow is heard indicates the systolic pressure, and the reading when the sound disappears indicates the diastolic pressure.

Blood pressure can also be measured at home using a digital blood pressure monitor. These devices typically have an inflatable cuff that wraps around the upper arm and a digital display that shows the readings. It’s important to take multiple readings at the same time each day to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure trends.

Factors That Affect Blood Pressure

There are a number of factors that can influence blood pressure, including time of day, activity level, diet, and overall health. Blood pressure tends to be highest in the hours before waking and then drops in the afternoon and evening. It’s also common for blood pressure to be lower in the evening compared to the morning. Things like exercise, caffeine, and stress can also cause temporary spikes in blood pressure.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you have a consistent blood pressure reading of 102/48 or lower and are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, it’s important to speak with your doctor. Chronic low blood pressure can be a sign of an underlying health condition and may require treatment. On the other hand, if your blood pressure is only occasionally low and you don’t have any symptoms, it may not require medical intervention.

Monitoring Your Blood Pressure

Regularly monitoring your blood pressure, whether at home or with your doctor, is essential for maintaining good cardiovascular health. By tracking your readings over time, you can identify any concerning trends or sudden changes that may require medical attention. Many health insurance plans also cover the cost of home blood pressure monitors, making it easy to stay on top of your numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a blood pressure of 102/48 mean? A blood pressure reading of 102/48 is considered low blood pressure, or hypotension. The top number (102) is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts, and the bottom number (48) is the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes.

Is a blood pressure of 102/48 good? No, a blood pressure of 102/48 is considered low and is generally not considered a healthy reading. The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as less than 120/80. Anything below 90/60 is considered low blood pressure.

What causes low blood pressure (hypotension)? There are several potential causes of low blood pressure, including dehydration, pregnancy, certain medications, heart problems, and endocrine disorders. Symptoms of low blood pressure can include dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.

When should I be concerned about low blood pressure? If you have a consistent blood pressure reading of 102/48 or lower and are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, it’s important to speak with your doctor. Chronic low blood pressure may be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires treatment.

102/48 blood pressure – is it good or bad?

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Maintaining a healthy blood pressure throughout your life is one of the most important things you can do for long-term health and longevity. Whether you’re looking up a blood pressure of 102/48 for yourself or a loved one or simply out of your own curiosity, you’re taking the right steps by being informed and empowering yourself or someone else to be their own best advocate.

According to the American Heart Association, a blood pressure reading of 102/48 would be considered
hypotension, or low blood pressure. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is defined by a systolic reading (the top number) of less than 90 or a diastolic reading (the bottom number) of less than 60. Low blood pressure generally isn’t considered an issue unless it causes symptoms (such as dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting) or unless it drops suddenly.

Okay, now you know how to classify a blood pressure of 102/48, but now what do you do with that information? Read on to learn more or look up another blood pressure reading.

What is a good blood pressure reading?

According to the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure reading is lower than 120/80. While there is no specific number for low blood pressure, most experts say blood pressure is too low when it causes symptoms or drops suddenly. In general, though, low blood pressure can be considered anything under 90/60.

More information about a blood pressure reading of 102/48

A blood pressure reading of 102/48 is pronounced “102 over 48.” You may also see it written colloquially as 102/48 bp.

In a blood pressure reading of 102/48, 102 is called the systolic number and 48 is called the diastolic number. Systolic refers to the part of the cardiac cycle in which the heart contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries, and diastolic refers to the part of the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood. You may also hear the systolic and diastolic numbers referred to as the top number and the bottom number.

Systolic and diastolic readings are measured in mmHg, which is a unit of pressure equal to the pressure that can support a column of mercury 1 millimeter high. Hg is the chemical symbol for mercury. For a blood pressure reading of 102/48, you would pronounce it “102 over 48 millimeters of mercury.”

How do you measure blood pressure?

In a doctor’s office, blood pressure is traditionally taken manually by a doctor or nurse with a sphygmomanometer. A sphygmomanometer is a medical instrument with an inflatable cuff and pressure meter or dial. The sphygmomanometer is placed snugly around the upper arm and is inflated by hand, and the doctor or nurse listens to the brachial artery with a stethoscope as they gradually reduce the pressure of the cuff. When the whooshing sound of blood is first heard through the stethoscope, the doctor or nurse makes note of the reading on the pressure meter. This indicates the systolic blood pressure reading. When the sound disappears, the reading on the pressure meter indicates the diastolic pressure reading.

Blood pressure can also be taken at home using a number of a digital devices. They typically consist of an inflatable cuff and digital display and simply work by placing the cuff around the upper arm and pressing a button, after which the cuff inflatess, deflates, and displays a reading. The most popular blood pressure machines for home use are made by Omron, Beurer, and Paramed, amongst many others.

One thing to keep in mind is that blood pressure can vary by time of day and activity level, so if you’re taking it at home it’s important to check it around the same time each day and rest for a few minutes ahead of time to limit as many variables as possible. It can also be affected by eating.

Blood pressure tends to rise in the hours before waking and then drop in the afternoon and evening before dropping to its lowest point while sleeping, so one popular recommendation is to check it just after waking up and just before bed to identify trends in how it varies from morning until night. Because of this, you might find that if your blood pressure is 102/48 in the morning, it might be lower before bed, and vice versa. Of course, these are just general rules of thumb and may vary by the individual.

Relevant HSA expenses

If you have an HSA as part of your health insurance plan, you’ll be pleased to find that blood pressure monitors, blood pressure cuffs, and wrist blood pressure monitors are all eligible, including smart blood pressure monitors like the offerings from Qardio and Withings.

How the heck do you pronounce sphygmomanometer?

Sphygmomanometer is pronounced sfig-moh-muh-‘nah-mi-ter. Easy!

Explore blood pressure readings similar to 102/48

The following table shows related blood pressure readings because sometimes just one number can make all the difference.

Please note that if a field is blank, it’s not an accident—it simply means a record doesn’t exist for that particular blood pressure. This could be because going forward or backward would create a blood pressure reading that wouldn’t make sense, or because that blood pressure simply doesn’t exist in our records.

Sources

• Understanding blood pressure readings – American Heart Association
• High blood pressure – Mayo Clinic
• Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring – Mayo Clinic
• Blood pressure – Wikipedia
• How to pronounce sphygmomanometer – Dictionary.com

Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended to be an educational reference and is not to be taken as medical advice. If you think you’re having a hypertensive or hypotensive emergency, or if you’re having any kind of medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.

When is Low Blood Pressure An Emergency?

A functional circulatory system is essential to your overall health and wellbeing.

More than 100,000 times a day, your heart pumps blood through a closed system of arteries, veins, and other blood vessels to the organs, tissues, and cells that make up your entire body.

Your blood picks up and distributes oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other elements as it travels.

It also absorbs waste products and helps your body eliminate them. 

Blood pressure is a measurement that tells doctors how intensely your blood exerts force on the walls of your veins as your heart pumps blood through your circulatory system.

When you visit a healthcare provider, they record your blood pressure as two measurements: systolic blood pressure, the first number, and diastolic blood pressure, the second number. 

Systolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure in the arteries that your heart creates when it pumps and fills the arteries with blood.

Diastolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure in your veins when your heart is at rest.

Once doctors have both numbers, they can determine whether you have normal blood pressure, low blood pressure (hypotension), or high blood pressure (hypertension).

Blood pressure can change as you move through your day, but it can put you at risk for other serious health complications if it is chronically or excessively low or high.

Chronic low blood pressure can mean that your heart, lungs, brain, and other vital organs don’t receive enough blood to function correctly. 

If you have low blood pressure but don’t experience symptoms, your condition is not severe.

That said, for some people, low blood pressure can lead to feelings of dizziness, weakness, nausea, pale skin, vision changes, and other symptoms.

When someone experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure or has very low blood pressure, they may experience more severe symptoms like shock, low heart rate, shallow breathing, and clammy skin. 

In rare cases, low blood pressure can become a medical emergency.

If you are experiencing mental confusion, blue or pale skin, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, low pulse, or other severe symptoms, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room for immediate medical attention.  

What is Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)?

Blood pressure is the measurement that tells doctors about the force of blood in your circulatory system.

Your blood pressure reading is expressed as two numbers.

The first number, your systolic pressure, indicates how much pressure your heart creates when it beats, and your veins are full of blood.

The second number, your diastolic pressure, is the amount of pressure in your veins when your heart is at rest. 

Blood pressure can change throughout the day, depending on the person, physical activity, the stress they experience, and other factors. 

For most people, blood pressure levels remain within what doctors consider a “normal” range: 90/60 mm Hg and 120/80 mm Hg.

Anything higher than 120/80 mm Hg is elevated or high blood pressure (hypertension).

Anything lower than 90/60 mm Hg is low blood pressure (hypotension).

Four major types of low blood pressure are delineated based on the causes of low blood pressure, symptoms, and other factors. They include: 

• Orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension: People with this condition experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when they stand up too quickly. It’s common in older adults but can affect younger people who have been sitting or squatting for a long time.

• Postprandial hypotension: People (mostly older adults) with this condition have a drop in blood pressure after they eat. It most commonly affects people with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

• Neurally mediated hypotension: Children and young adults experience this condition after standing for a long time. 

• Severe hypotension: People with this condition experience symptoms after a sudden and significant loss of blood, heart attack, infection, or allergic reaction.

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Symptoms

Some people with chronic low blood pressure readings do not experience any symptoms.

In those cases, the condition may not require any treatment.

For others, however, low blood pressure can lead to severe symptoms or indicate an underlying problem.

Milder symptoms of low blood pressure include:

• Back pain 
• Blurry vision
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Faded vision
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Headache
• Rapid or jumpy heartbeats

When blood pressure gets very low, very fast, your heart, brain, and other organs may not get the blood they need to function correctly, and you can go into shock.

Patients that have gone into shock may experience: 

• Clammy, blue, cold skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing 
• Sluggishness, sleepiness, or confusion
• Weak pulse or rapid pulse

Shock is a medical emergency and, in severe cases, can be fatal.

If you or someone you know has low blood pressure and is experiencing symptoms of shock, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Causes

Patients can have or develop low blood pressure for many reasons.

Some people have naturally lower blood pressure than others.

As long as they don’t experience symptoms, doctors consider them healthy.

Specific health issues can cause low blood pressure for some patients.

The most common causes include:

• Adrenal insufficiency
• Age-associated blood pressure regulation decline
• Alcoholism
• A history of heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmias, or other heart problems
• Diabetes
• Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
• Hypothyroidism
• Lack of fluids (dehydration) 
• Liver disease
• Low blood sugar
• Nerve damage 
• Nutritional deficiencies like a lack of iron (anemia), folic acid, and vitamin B12
• Parathyroid disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Pregnancy
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Severe blood loss from traumatic injury or internal bleeding 
• Severe infections (septicemia)

Some prescription medications, over-the-counter treatment options, and street drugs can also put patients at greater risk of developing low blood pressure. For example:

• Alpha-blockers and other high blood pressure medications
• Beta-blockers and other heart medications
• Erectile dysfunction medications 
• High blood pressure medications 
• Narcotics
• Tricyclic antidepressants 

When Hypotension is an Emergency

For most people, hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a condition that patients can manage with lifestyle changes and medicine.

However, in extreme cases, a patient with low blood pressure may develop severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

Underlying Conditions

Sometimes, low blood pressure can indicate the presence of severe conditions that are dangerous or even life-threatening.

For example, patients experiencing a heart attack or heart failure can develop low blood pressure, as can people with severe infections.

A severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock is one of the causes of low blood pressure.

Those who experience a loss of significant blood volume due to traumatic injury, burn, or internal bleeding can also develop symptoms of low blood pressure as a result.

If you are experiencing chest pain, rapid or shallow breathing, loss of consciousness, or seeing a blue tinge on your skin, these could be signs that you need immediate medical attention.

Call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Sudden drops

Even when it’s small, a sudden drop in blood pressure can be a serious health problem.

If blood pressure drops sharply, the brain doesn’t receive enough blood to function correctly.

Even a drop of 20 mm Hg within a few minutes can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and other uncomfortable symptoms. 

Risks of low blood pressure 

Patients can experience dizziness, fainting, and falls, a dangerous complication for older adults.

In serious cases, severe drops in blood pressure can decrease the blood flow to the heart and brain so much that they damage the organ’s ability to function.

Severe hypotension has been linked to stroke, shock, and cardiovascular issues.

When to Go to the ER

Low blood pressure can be a serious, even life-threatening condition.

If you or someone you know is experiencing extreme symptoms, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room for treatment right away. 

Emergency symptoms may include: 

• Cold, clammy, or sweaty skin 
• A bluish tint to the skin 
• Chest pain
• Rapid breathing 
• Shallow breathing 
• Vision changes 
• Confusion 
• Loss of consciousness

If you experience symptoms after taking medication or have been diagnosed with low blood pressure and are experiencing an increased frequency in even mild symptoms, call your doctor to discuss your condition and next steps.

How to Treat Hypotension

If you have low blood pressure that doesn’t cause symptoms or only occasionally causes mild lightheadedness, you may not need to treat your condition.

If you have more significant symptoms, your doctor might suggest several lifestyle and medication changes for you to use to regulate your blood pressure better and improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Lifestyle changes

There are a few changes you can make to reduce the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure. They include: 

• Eating more salt: Increasing dietary sodium may help raise your blood pressure and keep it more regulated. 

• Drinking water: Increasing your intake of fluids can increase the blood you have in your body and help raise your blood pressure.

• Avoiding alcoholic beverages: Alcohol lowers blood pressure and should be avoided by patients who struggle with symptoms. 

• Eating small meals: Enjoying smaller meals more frequently can help you avoid the extreme eating-associated changes in blood pressure that can occur with heavier meals.

• Wearing compression socks or elastic abdominal binders: Compression socks and abdominal binders are designed to maintain blood flow and reduce swelling, which can help address the root cause of postural hypotension.

• Move slowly: Changing posture positions quickly can lead to drops in blood pressure. Avoid sitting or standing up too suddenly.

Medication changes

If you have made lifestyle changes and still experience symptoms related to low blood pressure, talk to your doctor about medication changes you can make to regulate your circulatory system better. 

Medications that can help address low blood pressure include: 

• Fludrocortisone (Florinef)
• Midodrine (Orvaten)

If you have been prescribed a medication that puts you at risk for low blood pressure, or if you experience symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling faint after taking a medication, talk to your doctor about switching to a treatment option that you can better tolerate.

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When to See a Doctor

Low blood pressure can lead to health complications if left untreated.

If you suspect you have low blood pressure or are experiencing any symptoms that you think might be related to blood pressure, call your doctor to make an appointment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, chest pain, clammy or blue skin, loss of consciousness, or confusion, that may indicate a medical emergency.

Call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can access online urgent care with K Health?

Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes. 

K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest blood pressure can be before seeking emergency medical help?

People experience low blood pressure differently. Some have low blood pressure and don’t experience symptoms, while others are more debilitated. If you have low blood pressure and begin to experience symptoms like cold, clammy, blue skin, rapid or shallow breathing, heart palpitations or chest pain, confusion, or loss of consciousness, you may need medical attention. Seek emergency care immediately.

Can low blood pressure be treated at home?

Low blood pressure can be life-threatening if left untreated. You can make specific lifestyle changes to help regulate and raise your blood pressure, but you should only use them to augment your doctor’s recommended treatment plan, not replace it.

Which is more harmful: low or high blood pressure?

If it is too high or too low, blood pressure can cause health complications. Therefore, always aim for a blood pressure reading in the normal range, between 90/60 mm Hg and 120/80 mm Hg.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions,
and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• Low blood pressure: Also Known as Hypotension. (Date Unknown).
  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/low-blood-pressure

• Low Blood Pressure. (2022). ​
  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007278.htm

• Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). (2021).
  https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abg6277

• Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. (2022).
  https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings

• Blood Pressure: When Blood Pressure is Too Low. (2022).
  https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure/low-blood-pressure-when-blood-pressure-is-too-low

• Amazing Heart Facts. (1997).
  https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/heart/heartfacts.html

Blood pressure in a child: norm and pathology

Speaking of high blood pressure, we usually imagine a middle-aged or elderly person with hypertension.

Speaking of high blood pressure, we usually imagine a middle-aged or elderly person with hypertension.

However, pressure problems can also occur in childhood. We are talking about this today with the neurologist of LLC “Expert Tula Clinic” Sycheva Anna Georgievna.

－ Anna Georgievna, first of all, I would like to know what is upper and lower blood pressure?

Upper pressure, called systolic in medical practice, is the pressure that occurs during the contraction phase of the heart muscle (systole). Lower, or diastolic, is the pressure that occurs during the relaxation phase of the heart muscle (diastole).

－ What are the age norms for blood pressure in children?

Like many indicators in the human body, systolic (upper) and diastolic (lower) pressure has its own minimum and maximum normal values. They are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

For example, in newborns, the norm indicators are:

– minimum systolic – 60 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 40 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 90 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 50 mm Hg.

By the age of one month:

– minimum systolic – 80 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 40 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 96 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 60 mm Hg.

By year:

– minimum systolic – 90 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 50 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 112 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 74 mm Hg.

After a year and up to 10-12 years, normal pressure does not change significantly.

By the age of 10-12 there are such normal indicators:

– minimum systolic – 110 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 70 mmHg

– maximum systolic – 126 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 82 mm Hg.

At 13-15 years old:

– minimum systolic – 110 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 70 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 136 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 86 mm Hg.

－ When can changes in blood pressure in children be considered normal, and when should a doctor be consulted?

It may vary depending on various factors. For example, in the morning, its indicators may be closer to the minimum normal (physiological) limits, and increase during the day depending on the level of physical activity, the presence of stress factors, overwork, etc. If the numbers are within the physiological limits, then everything is in order, but if not, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

－ Tell me, what can cause abnormalities in blood pressure in children?

If we talk about its decrease, which develops not due to blood loss (for example, with injuries and other acute serious conditions), then it can be observed during or after colds, with physical and mental overload, living in highlands ( is an adaptation to the environment), autonomic vascular disorders.

The reasons for high blood pressure in a child are much more numerous. There are whole groups of diseases in which arterial hypertension occurs. These are some pathologies of the cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous system, kidneys and adrenal glands.

The most common causes of hypertension in children are obesity, hormonal dysfunction during adolescence, and autonomic vascular disorders.

－ What are the symptoms of high and low blood pressure in children?

We will not consider signs of hypotension during blood loss. In other cases, among the main manifestations: headache, dizziness, increased fatigue, decreased performance.

Hypertension is no less common in children, especially in adolescence, but its symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea), compared to adults, are mild. It is all the more important for parents to remember this, especially if there are predisposing factors or diagnosed diseases. Among them, for example, the load during sports, transitional adolescence, overweight, chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, etc. Such children should measure the pressure even in the complete absence of complaints on their part.

－ Please tell me how to measure the pressure of a child?

Optimum conditions must be met for testing. First, the room must be quiet; secondly, it is better if the child sits steadily on a chair, his legs are not crossed. For children under two years of age, the procedure is performed lying down. And finally, the child’s hand should lie quietly on the table or side table, the cuff of the device should be at the level of the heart, the angle between the shoulder and forearm should be 90 degrees.

Children’s tonometer is used for measurement. Its cuff is superimposed on the region of the brachial artery, 2-3 cm above the elbow. The index finger of the hand should pass between the skin of the shoulder and the cuff. A phonendoscope is placed on the area of ​​the cubital fossa. After closing the valve of the device, air is pumped into the cuff until the pulse beats completely disappear in the phonendoscope and after that a little more (about 30 mm Hg). Then, by slightly opening the valve, the air is slowly released and the arrow of the device is monitored. The moment of the appearance of the first beat, the sound in the tonometer reflects the upper (systolic) pressure. Listening is performed until the sounds disappear completely – this moment shows the lower (diastolic) pressure.

Three full measurements are made, from which the measurement with the minimum values ​​is taken. An interval of at least 15 minutes is observed between measurements.

It is also acceptable to use semi-automatic digital blood pressure monitors, where the upper and lower digits are fixed automatically by the device. In any case, before measuring the pressure of a child, you must carefully read the instructions for its use.

－ What problems does abnormal blood pressure indicate in children?

Low blood pressure in a child may, first of all, indicate excessive physical and / or mental stress, violation of the daily routine, overwork.

If the pressure is elevated, this may indicate both some temporary changes (for example, restructuring of the hormonal and autonomic nervous system), and the presence of diseases that we talked about earlier.

Exceeding the normal range is always a reason to see a doctor, especially for hypertension.

－ Is exercise good for children with hypotension and hypertension?

Sports load – the concept is quite extensive and it is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. In general, there are no significant restrictions with hypotension, however, the load must be increased gradually and under the supervision of a specialist.

Hypertension is another matter. In case of diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, sports are limited, however, the physiotherapy doctor, depending on the specific diagnosis, can choose the appropriate set of physical exercises for the child. With excess body weight, vegetative vascular disorders, a wider range of sports activities are allowed in puberty – for example, walking, running, cycling, football, basketball. Power sports are excluded, as well as those where there are jerky loads. For an individual solution to this issue, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

－ Anna Georgievna, which doctor should I contact if my child has changes in blood pressure?

First of all, to the pediatrician. Already at this stage, he can prescribe clarifying studies, according to the results of which, if necessary, he will refer you to narrow specialists: a cardiologist, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist.

For reference

Sycheva Anna Georgievna

Graduate of the pediatric faculty of the Astrakhan State Medical Institute named after A.V. Lunacharskogo 1981 years old (currently – Astrakhan State Medical University).

In 1982 she completed her internship at the 1st Moscow Medical Institute. THEM. Sechenov with a degree in Pediatrics.

In 1995, she underwent professional retraining at the Leningrad Pediatric Medical Institute with a degree in Neurology.

Currently working as a neurologist at the Expert Tula Clinic LLC.

why it occurs and how to help

1. What pressure is normal?
2. Why can the pulse quicken at low blood pressure?
3. Symptoms
4. How to help a person with hypotension due to diabetes, anaphylaxis and bleeding?
5. Help with hypotension and tachycardia in other cases
6. What should not be done for hypotension?
7. Preventive measures

Image by prostooleh on Freepik

People prone to low blood pressure (hypotension, hypotension) often face a problem such as tachycardia. It is characterized by an acceleration of the pulse: the heartbeat becomes too frequent, reaches 90 beats per minute or more at rest. What is the reason for this phenomenon, and how to deal with it?

In a healthy person, the heartbeat quickens during physical exertion and strong emotions. This is a physiological norm and does not harm health.

Too frequent resting pulse is a sign of a health disorder that may indicate heart disease and other pathologies.

With hypotension, vascular tone decreases, which leads to a slowdown in blood flow and stagnation of blood in the arteries. Organs and tissues, including the heart and brain, suffer from a lack of oxygen. The acceleration of the heart rate at low pressure is a physiologically determined compensation mechanism. The pulse quickens as the body seeks to compensate for the lack of oxygen and stagnation of blood in the arteries due to the more intense work of the heart.

This negatively affects the state of the cardiovascular system. With chronic arterial hypotension, the heart is forced to work for wear and tear in order to maintain a normal blood supply to organs and tissues. This increases the load on the heart muscle and leads to undesirable consequences.

What pressure is normal?

Hypotension is a condition in which blood pressure (BP) drops below normal. The following indicators are considered normal:

• 100-139 mmHg for systolic blood pressure, which is formed in the vessels when the heart contracts;
• 60–89 mmHg for diastolic BP, which is produced when the heart relaxes.

With hypotension, only the upper or lower pressure, or both, may decrease.

What pathologies can increase the pulse rate at low pressure?

Rapid pulse with hypotension is a characteristic feature of a number of conditions and pathologies. Among them:

• adaptation to new climatic conditions when climbing mountains or changing the time zone due to changes in atmospheric pressure;
• stress, emotional upheaval;
• nutritional deficiencies with strict or poor diet;
• visiting saunas, baths, staying in a stuffy room;
• severe blood loss due to trauma or complications after surgery;
• anaphylaxis due to allergic reaction;
• heat stroke;
• dehydration due to improper drinking regime, with prolonged vomiting;
• period of pregnancy;
• vascular atherosclerosis;
• neurocirculatory dystonia and other neurological diseases;
• severe hypoglycemia;
• blood poisoning;
• taking drugs that affect blood pressure and may lead to symptomatic hypotension;
• hypothyroidism – insufficient production of hormones by the thyroid gland;
• alcohol abuse, drug use;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Symptoms

In addition to palpitations, patients with tachycardia at low pressure have the following signs of pathology:

• weakness and drowsiness, decreased performance;
• dizziness, headache;
• incoordination;
• darkening of the eyes;
• pale skin, sweating;
• feeling short of breath;
• nausea that turns into vomiting.

In severe cases, the drop in pressure leads to loss of consciousness.

How to help a person with hypotension with diabetes, anaphylaxis and bleeding?

First aid for hypotension depends on the cause of the drop in blood pressure. If this happened due to heavy bleeding or anaphylactic shock, the patient needs urgent medical attention. In the first case, doctors take measures to stop the bleeding and replenish the loss of blood.

If a patient develops anaphylactic shock against the background of an allergic reaction to an injection, an insect bite, a sharp drop in blood pressure occurs, the heart rhythm is disturbed, and laryngeal edema occurs, which leads to breathing problems.

If you suspect anaphylactic shock, you need to urgently call an ambulance. At home, it is necessary to limit the spread of the allergen. To do this, remove the sting of the insect or apply a tourniquet above the injection site. The victim must be laid on a horizontal surface with raised legs. If a person is vomiting, the head should be turned to the side. The room must be well ventilated. If the victim loses a pulse, an indirect heart massage is performed with a frequency of 60-100 clicks before the ambulance arrives.

To stop anaphylactic shock, doctors administer adrenaline and glucocorticosteroids, use antihistamine treatment.

Emergency measures are also required in the situation in which patients with diabetes may find themselves. If the blood glucose level falls below 3.3 mmol / l, a state of hypoglycemia sets in, which is characterized by weakness, a drop in blood pressure, shallow breathing, a weak pulse, and in some cases its increase, sweating.

To increase blood pressure in diabetes, it is first necessary to normalize blood glucose levels. If a person is conscious, he needs to eat or drink a drink with fast carbohydrates. Sugar or honey, glucose-based gel, sweet drink are suitable for these purposes.

It is undesirable to use chocolate, cookies or other confectionery products that contain carbohydrates and fats, as they slow down the absorption of glucose.

If the diabetic is unconscious, one should not try to pour a sweet drink or put sugar into the mouth, as the person will not be able to swallow. Food can get stuck in the throat and lead to asphyxia.

If the person is unconscious, it is permissible to rub honey or sugar syrup on the gums. To manage severe hypoglycemia, healthcare professionals use intravenous glucose injections or the drug glucagon, which releases glucose stores from the liver.

As soon as the diabetic’s blood sugar level is normalized, the pressure and pulse return to normal.

Help with hypotension and tachycardia in other cases

If the drop in blood pressure is in no way related to diabetes, an allergic reaction, or injury, the following measures should be taken:

• lay the person on a flat surface;
• Place a pillow, rolled-up blanket or other handy object under the shins to keep the victim’s legs elevated;
• in the room, open a vent or window for fresh air, turn on the air conditioner;
• if the person is wearing tight clothing, it should be removed or unbuttoned;
• in many people, a drop in pressure is accompanied by a decrease in body temperature, so the victim should be covered with a warm blanket;
• Strong sweet tea helps to quickly raise the pressure in case of hypotension.

When providing assistance, you need to regularly measure pressure indicators. If, despite the measures taken, a person becomes worse, it is necessary to call an ambulance or take the patient to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

What should not be done for hypotension?

If a person’s blood pressure has dropped, you should not drink alcohol, caffeine or pills to increase blood pressure, sniff ammonia, do physical exercises if the patient is conscious. Such actions exacerbate the situation and can lead to negative health consequences.

Preventive measures

To treat hypotension, it is important to identify and eliminate its cause. Normalization of blood pressure will relieve poor health and tachycardia. With a tendency to low blood pressure, it is important for the patient to consume enough fluid and salt, to provide regular physical activity in a moderate mode. Movement improves blood circulation in the vessels and helps maintain normal pressure.

With hypotension, severe stress and activities that are associated with physical and emotional overload should be avoided. For good health, it is important for hypotensive patients to get enough sleep and fully rest.