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88 55 blood pressure: Low blood pressure (hypotension) – Diagnosis and treatment

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Blood Pressure 88/55: What Does It Indicate?

A blood pressure of 88/55 indicates that you are having a LOW BLOOD PRESSURE which can be an immediate health crisis if the levels are too low.

This article tells you:

  • What does a 88/55 blood pressure mean?
  • What should you do if you have 88/55 blood pressure?
  • Some easy to do home remedies and supplementations.
  • Frequently asked question that will answer many of your queries regarding your 88/55 blood pressure.

The blood pressure value of 88/55 specifies the fact that the individual in question is suffering from low blood pressure or hypotension.

This is the medical condition that arises when the value of readings for the blood pressure of a person is less than [90/60].

The ideal blood pressure for an individual is between [90/60] and [120/80]. But for any reason, if the blood pressure falls below the specified readings, then the person can be said to be suffering from hypotension.

The medical condition of hypotension means that the pressure exercised by the blood flowing through the vessels over those is lower than the expected value.

And the same can be said in terms of the heart pumping blood to all the parts of the body. Low BP indicates that the heart is not able to pump blood to all the body parts to the extent that has been termed as necessary. And therefore, more complicated medical problems arise because of Low BP.

The effects or symptoms of these problems are not visible in the overall health of an individual. But these do certainly affect the individual in more ways than just one.

Here is a set-by-step procedure to follow when you figure out you have a blood pressure of 88/55.

If your blood is 88/55 and you have checked the same in your home setup, it is highly recommended to get it checked at your doctor’s office.

A trained professional has to clinically assess your condition and confirm that your 88/55 is, in fact, clinically valid.

There are instances when your reading at home setup might give you a reading which is incorrectly reported. It could be because of an error in reading it, damage to your device, your physical or mental condition on that particular day, etc.

Therefore, a doctor has to assess it over the course of 7 – 30 days periodically before he/she can confirm the accurate stage of your blood pressure.

In some cases, a patient might report wrong blood pressure in a hospital setup, called white coat hypertension. Here the patient may show higher blood pressure than their actual because of the anxiety inside a hospital environment.

In contrast, some patients may have masked hypertension in which the person may show lower blood pressure at clinical setup, but at home, they may have higher blood pressure.

All these conditions are linked to physiology and psychology and, therefore, better to be validated by a doctor.

Even the small changes that you make in your life can lead to having a really impressive effect on your overall health. And, the same can be said regarding the problem of low blood pressure.

If you choose to make reasonable changes in your lifestyle, you can improve your blood pressure to a significant level.

Here are some of the changes that you can bring into your lifestyle to improve your health and your blood pressure level:

You do not need to hesitate from consulting with a physiotherapist about the problems that you are having. Through a relationship of mutual trust, you will be able to get a prescription that will be best suited for your body and overall health.

Following are the prescribed medicines that are greatly helpful for people suffering from low blood pressure.

There are significant changes that you can see in your health if you were to eat healthily every day. And particularly in the case of hypotension, you should know what to eat and what not to.

Some of the comorbidities associated with low blood pressure include heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart valve disorder, bradycardia, and hormonal imbalance.

When you have 88/55, the above-mentioned comorbidities may follow; if correctly, medical attention is not sought.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to treat your hypotension, get it back to a normal level of 120/80 and maintain it.

Even stress is linked to hypotension in some patients. Since the human body reacts differently to different situations, not necessarily depression and anxiety lead to hypertension, but hypotension too. 

This is why it is important to get medical attention rather than treating yourself so that the root cause will be rectified and corrected.

Sometimes managing blood pressure is all about supplementing your body with the right diet. Food is undoubtedly the best primary source to supplement your body.

However, in the current scenarios, we all know how much adultered our foodstuff is, and most of us are pushed towards processed foods to feed ourselves in this fast-paced world.

All these food are high in sugar and sodium and doesn’t contain any vital nutrients that are important for a healthy heart.

This is where some of the nutraceutical-based blood pressure supplements come in handy. These products combine all critical nutrients your heart craves, thereby assisting the better function of your cardiovascular system.

Generally, these supplements are a concoction of herbs, plant-based products, dairy products, and some animal products. They are 100% organic and natural and don’t contain any harmful chemicals.

If you are hearing about these segments of products for the first time,  to start with, you may blindly go for Blood Pressure Support from Vita Balance Inc, Blood Pressure Optimizer from HFL, or Corsanum, marketed by PLT Group.

The only one thing to keep in mind is that choose the best supplement that promote healthy blood pressure, because when it comes to the heart, there is no taking of risk!

Low Blood Pressure or hypotension is not a problem to be made light of. If done so, it will only lead to more complications shortly. Rather than disregarding this problem, consulting with a professional physiotherapist will do you no harm.

Together, you can come up with the best solutions for you, especially when your blood pressure reading is 88/55.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the blood pressure, and what are the normal values?

Blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by the blood flowing through arteries over those. Alongside that, this is the efficiency with which the blood is pumped by the heart to all the parts of the body through the circulatory system.

The normal values for blood pressure are between [90/60] and [120/80]. If a person has a blood pressure equivalent to this much, then it means that the blood will be flowing through the arteries relatively easily.

2. What is considered to be high blood pressure?

Blood pressure over the value of [130/80] is considered high blood pressure. This signifies that high pressure is being exerted by the blood flowing through the vessels over those.

And therefore, it is difficult for the human heart to be able to pump blood to all the parts of the body rather efficiently. This is a problem that can arise when the size of the vessels is contracted compared to the original size.

3. What is considered to be low blood pressure?

A blood pressure lesser than the value of [90/60] is termed low blood pressure. This type of value means that low pressure is put forward by the blood over the vessels that are carrying it. It can also be taken as a measure that, the blood is not able to reach all the parts of the body.

Or, the heart is not capable of circulating blood to all the parts of the body in an effective way. This problem in blood pressure is mainly the effect of dehydration and pregnancy.

4. What are hypertension and hypotension? Are they both the same as high and low blood pressure?

Hypertension is the condition that emerges when a person is having high blood pressure. Because of contraction in vessels, the blood can not flow through the vessels efficiently, and therefore, high pressure is exerted over the blood vessels, this particular condition is high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension.

Hypotension is the condition that comes into effect when the blood pressure of a person is lower compared to the ideal value of blood pressure. This means that the heart is unable to pump blood through the blood vessels to all the body parts. This type of situation when observed is called low blood pressure, or hypotension.

5. What will happen to your general health when you have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure puts you at an imminent risk of arteries rupture because of the high pressure applied over those by the circulating blood. This can, in turn, affect the circulation of blood to all the parts of the body, and your heart itself. And, the latter part can lead you to some serious heart diseases. The high pressure applied over the heart walls can put you close to the risk of heart attack and heart failure.

6. What causes high blood pressure and low blood pressure?

The medical conditions of high blood pressure and low blood pressure are both effects of the lifestyle that we lead. This means that if we adapt to a lifestyle that is in line with our body and overall physical fitness, then we will have ideal blood pressure.

But, if our lifestyle is deviated from what we had started, some medical conditions can arise. High blood pressure and low blood pressure are some of those problems.

7. What are the risks of having high blood pressure?

The most serious risk that is faced by an individual that is suffering from high blood pressure is the risk of heart attack, heart failure, or some chronic disease related to the heart.

Moreover, there are also the additional risks of strokes, vision loss, diabetes, kidney failure, unresponsiveness to external stimuli, chronic chest pain, artery damage, and vascular dementia.

8. What can I do to lower my blood pressure?

To lower your blood pressure, the foremost step should be to limit the intake of sodium salts. Then, it will be good for you to opt for a healthy lifestyle; eat healthy meals and exercise daily. Try to maintain your weight to healthy proportions. Limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine-related beverages, and quit smoking.

Also, you need to have an adequate amount of rest every day and keep your stress and anxiety in proper check. If you continue to face high blood pressure problems even after making these changes in your lifestyle, it will be good for you to consult with a physiotherapist to discuss your blood pressure medications.

9. What are the risks of having low blood pressure?

The harmful effects that are associated with low blood pressure are not as prominent as what is associated with high blood pressure, but they can serve to be just as much harmful in the long run. Low blood pressure can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness, and confusion for a prolonged period.

This is a condition that can make you weak physically as well as mentally. Low blood pressure leads to a depletion in the effectiveness of motor senses, and the subject is likely to faint from time to time. This condition can also lead to blurred vision and can damage peripheral nerves over a long time.

10. What can I do to increase my blood pressure?

Increase the usage of table salts in your diet, and drink plenty of water. Limit your intake of alcohol as it is a dehydrating agent. Increase your diet by taking small meals multiple times with low carbs. Exercise daily and try to take up a lifestyle that will be good for your health and physical well-being.

Try to maintain a body weight that will be good as per your physical stature and age. Avoid changing positions abruptly, and wear compression stockings to improve blood flow in the legs. Also, consult a physiotherapist regarding your medications for low blood pressure.

11. Can smoking and alcohol affect my blood pressure?

Smoking and alcohol have an active impact on the blood pressure levels of an individual. These can lead to an effective change in the size of arteries that carry blood to all the parts of the body.

Heavy intake of alcohol can increase blood pressure in individuals to a significantly high level and this can even lead to long-term blood pressure issues in the individual. On the other hand, smoking is as bad as it can be. It leads to the contraction of blood vessels, which increases the pressure of blood over the heart walls. This puts you at risk of heart disease.

12. How to correctly check my blood pressure at home?

If you want to check your blood pressure at home, you can use portable blood pressure monitors to do so. These are highly adaptable and can help provide you with your blood pressure levels closest to accurate.

But if you are seeking precision in the readings, then it will be good if you were to follow certain measures. For once, avoid intake of caffeine and alcohol before taking the reading. And, have a proper rest of nearly 10 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.

13. Why is it important to visit a doctor to confirm high/low blood pressure?

It is important to visit a doctor regarding blood pressure for the sake of the precision of the outcome or the result of the readings. Moreover, in a proper medical facility and care of professionals, you will be able to get guidance about how to keep your blood pressure in check if it is not per your ideal blood pressure.

Also, you can get a consultation regarding the changes that you will need to make in your lifestyle to bring your blood pressure back in check.

14. Should you be worried about high blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure during the latter half of the pregnancy is not that rare of an occurrence. However, it is not something to make light of either. If not treated properly, or significant steps are not taken regarding it, this high blood pressure may pose danger to the health of the parent as well as the baby.

This type of high blood pressure or hypertension is called gestational hypertension, and it is not long-lasting. It goes away after the delivery of the baby.

15. What are some of the symptoms to watch out for in high blood pressure?

The symptoms of high blood pressure are not something that can be ignored readily. These symptoms include severe headache, anxiety attacks, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, blood spots in the eyes, intense fatigue, blurred or distorted vision, and vomiting or nausea. These symptoms are not something to be taken lightly.

High blood pressure is not an incurable problem, but measures are needed to be taken against it in the due time. So, don’t make light of the symptoms and consult a physiotherapist regarding these.

16. What foods should you eat to lower blood pressure?

To lower blood pressure eat a diet that is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Besides this, it is good to take short meals that are low in curbs. Instead of deep-fried products, it will be good if you were to incline towards a diet that is mainly consisting of vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and other leafy green vegetables.

Consume lots of low-fat poultry and dairy products. These will help enable a healthy diet for you and help you lean towards a healthy lifestyle.

17. What are the best herbs and spices for high blood pressure?

Many known herbs and spices are proven to have a significant effect on high blood pressure. Significantly, basil, parsley, Chinese cat’s claw, celery seeds, Brahmi, thyme, garlic, and ginger are the herbs that are most commonly made use of by people that are suffering from high blood pressure. Along with these, cardamom, cloves, ajwain, green oat, and flaxseeds are the spices that help manage high blood pressure.

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Low Blood Pressure in Elderly People: Vital Facts to Know

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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.



This article contains affiliate links. We are compensated with a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for sales made through the links.


The information below is not a substitute for individualized medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your physician before making lifestyle changes that may affect your health.


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





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:


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:


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.



Financial checks have begun in hospitals in the Leningrad region, five chief doctors have already been fired

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Audit inspections of hospitals where covid patients were treated have already removed five doctors from their positions. This was reported by the portal dp.ru.

Hospitals throughout the Leningrad region are checking financial statements, the regional Komzdrav reported. This is due to violations in some hospitals that were allowed during the pandemic period.

Thus, already in five medical institutions the leadership was changed from May 17 to May 30. The chief physicians lost their positions in the inter-district hospitals of Vsevolozhsk, Kingisepp, Priozersk and Tikhvin, as well as in the children’s hospital in Vyborg.

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