Are You Suffering From Seasonal Hypotension?

Is the weather rather hot where you are at the moment? You may just be feeling weak, dizzy and nauseous — if you're unlucky, all day long. If you are experiencing these symptoms and perhaps also suffer from blurred vision, an irregular heartbeat, and confusion, you should pay special attention. 

Low Blood Pressure In Summer

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition many people have. Sometimes it can be remedied with natural medications and lifestyle changes, but hypertension patients may also require medication. Contrary to popular belief, high blood pressure can come with some symptoms (severe headaches, fatigue, an irregular heartbeat, feeling on edge) that can, if recognized, lead a person to measure their blood pressure to check and then make a doctor's appointment when the meter shows "off the charts" readings. 

Everyone knows that high blood pressure can be dangerous and deserves to be taken seriously. Low blood pressure, on the other hand, is usually harmless and therefore discussed much less often. The symptoms described above coupled with confirmed hypotension can actually point to an insufficient blood flow to the brain and vital organs. That certainly deserves your attention!

Low temperatures cause your blood vessels to narrow or tighten, and narrower vessels mean a higher pressure is needed to guide blood through the body. This is why many hypertension patients find that their blood pressure is higher during the winter, while they may even be able to lower their medication dosage during the summer, when the blood vessels widen again. 

Summer may be the best time of year for hypertension sufferers, in other words. But natural blood pressure changes that result from temperature shifts are a double-edged sword. People who have a tendency toward low blood pressure — hypotension — may find that high temperatures like those you may encounter during your regular summer, a heat wave, or when you go on vacation, lead to unpleasant symptoms. 

When Is Low Blood Pressure A Problem?

A person's blood pressure should ideally be at around 120/80. That means the systolic pressure is at 120, and the diastolic is at 80 or less. A higher blood pressure is a potential problem, a if your blood pressure is consistently much higher, you may be diagnosed with hypertension. A blood pressure that is lower is not generally considered to be a problem, and there isn't a specific cut-off that will give you the diagnosis of hypotension. 

Medical professionals tend to classify low blood pressure as a problem only if the patient has noticeable symptoms that impact their daily life negatively. These symptoms interfere with a person's daily life all by themselves, but they also indicate that the blood flow is insufficient, and the brain and other vital organs could be lacking blood.

Here is a full list of low blood pressure symptoms that you might be experiencing — especially if you are going through a hot summer right now — and that should tell you that it's time to pay your doctor a visit:

• Feeling dizzy or light-headed
• Feeling like you may faint, or actually fainting
• Not being able to focus
• Fatigue
• A low mood
• Confusion
• Depression
• Blurred vision
• Pale skin that feels colder than it should
• Breathing issues
• Feeling rather thirsty — could also simply be caused by not drinking enough water, especially in summer

If you are spending a lot of time in climate-controlled spaces, you may notice these symptoms only when you venture outside and are exposed to "the elements".