What Your Blood Pressure Can Tell You About Your Health

You might know high blood pressure, also called hypertension, is bad for your health. But in addition to hypertension, your blood pressure reading can indicate a lot of other health problems and conditions.

The BP Basics

You probably have had your blood pressure checked during a routine doctor’s visit. The medical assistant may have called out two numbers, such as “130 over 70.” But do you know what those numbers indicate? Learning the basics about blood pressure will help you understand what fluctuations in your BP may mean.

Blood pressure is recorded using two numbers. The top number is higher and indicates the force put on the arteries when your heart beats. That number is referred to as systolic. A normal systolic measurement is about 120 in adults.

The second number is the pressure in the arteries in between heartbeats. That number is called diastolic and is usually the lower of the two numbers. A normal diastolic BP is about 80.  When blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, it is usually considered hypertension.

So why is that important to know? Your blood pressure is closely related to your heart function and even your overall health. When systolic pressure is elevated, it means your blood vessels are stained as your heart is pumping blood through your body. If your diastolic pressure is high, your arteries do not have much time to relax between heartbeats.

Chronically high blood pressure can cause various changes to take place in your arteries. For example, increased pressure can make your arteries stiff and thick, which increases your risk of a stroke and heart disease. Measuring blood pressure is quick and easy and should be done at least every few years starting at age 20.   

Fluctuations in Blood Pressure

It’s important to understand that one high reading does not mean you have hypertension. Your blood pressure is not always the same. In fact, your blood pressure reading may even be a little different in each arm. Small fluctuations day to day are to be expected. For a large percentage of people, BP is lowest in the morning and higher in midafternoon.  

Several things can cause a small change in blood pressure 

The foods and beverages you eat and drink and even the position you’re in may cause a fluctuation. For example, if you eat a meal with a lot of sodium, it may cause your blood pressure to go up a bit. The extra salt can lead to fluid retention, which can raise BP. Caffeinated beverages may also temporarily increase blood pressure.

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In some cases, fluctuations in blood pressure are due to illness, stress or medications.  Blood pressure can increase if you are feeling tense or fearful. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may also have increased blood pressure.

Certain medications and street drugs may elevate blood pressure. Drugs, such as cocaine, often cause a spike in BP shortly after use. Prescription medications including steroids may also be a culprit.  Over the counter medications containing decongestants may also raise BP.

Hypotension Can Signal Problems   

You may think that only increased blood pressure may indicate a health problem.  But hypotension or low blood pressure is common in many health conditions.

How Low is Too Low?  

It might seem that if high blood pressure is bad for your heath, low blood pressure would be healthy. But that’s not always the case. The reason your BP is low is important. Is it low because your heart is strong or is a medical condition to blame?

Low blood pressure, which is due to being in good cardiovascular shape is usually not a problem. When your heart is strong, it does not have to work as hard, which may mean your BP is on the low side.

Low blood pressure is considered anything lower than 90/60. But many doctors only define hypotension as a problem if symptoms are present. When symptoms of low blood pressure occur, they may include nausea, thirst, shallow breathing and dizziness. If BP falls too low, fainting can occur. If low blood pressure is causing you symptoms, it’s essential to see your doctor to get to the bottom of the problem.  

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Some people naturally have low blood pressure, and it does not signify a problem. It’s when their BP drops suddenly it can be dangerous. Also, if your blood pressure was usually normal and then becomes lower, it may be related to a medical condition.

When blood pressure takes a sudden nosedive, it often indicates a serious medical condition, such as a heat stroke, dehydration and sepsis due to an infection. In those instances, you’re also likely to have additional symptoms, which lets you know something is wrong.

But there are also instances where low blood pressure is more subtle and develops gradually. In those cases, it can also be an indicator of certain health issues, such as the following:   

A lack of vitamin B 12: If your body does not get the right amount of certain nutrients, side effects can develop. Vitamin B12 plays a role in the production of red blood cells. When an insufficient level of red blood cells are produced, it can lead to a gradual drop in blood pressure.  

Anemia: Similar to a vitamin B12 deficiency, a lack of iron can also lead to a decrease in red blood cell production. Anemia can develop, which can cause low blood pressure.  

Endocrine problems: Various endocrine disorders, such as hypoglycemia, adrenal insufficiency and an underactive thyroid can interfere with how much blood is circulating through your body, which results in low BP.  

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Heart valve problems: If your heart is weak or not pumping efficiently due to valve problems it can also cause chronical low blood pressure.

A side effect of medication: Various types of medication can lead to a decrease in blood pressure. If your drop in blood pressure occurred after you started taking a certain medication, it’s best to discuss it with your doctor. Your doctor may change your meds depending on how low your BP is and whether you are experiencing any related symptoms.