search 
:
:
search in:
Health Topics A-Z
Low Blood Pressure
The Basics | Symptoms | Detection & Treatment
What Are the Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Unsteadiness
- Dimming or blurring of vision
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Cognitive impairment
- Nausea
- Head or neck discomfort
- Cold, clammy skin
- Headache
- Fainting
You experience an increased frequency of symptoms of low blood pressure that are interfering with your lifestyle, that pose a risk for injury from falling, or that you suspect may be a side effect of prescription or nonprescription medication.
If blood pressure gets severely low, there's a significant danger that the body will not receive enough oxygen to carry out normal function. Decreased oxygen to the body can result in impaired functioning of the heart and brain and cause difficulty with breathing. In addition, someone with low blood pressure can lose consciousness or go into shock, where the organs shut down.
Thus, it is important to seek medical care immediately if you experience any signs of low blood pressure.
Medically reviewed by Michael Aronson, MD, July 2005.
Sources: Goldstein D.; et al. "Orthostatic Hypotension From Sympathetic Denervation in Parkinson's Disease," Neurology 2002, vol. 58 pp 1247-55. Thaisetthawatkul P and others, "Autonomic Dysfunction In Dementia With Lewy Bodies." Neurology 2004, vol. 62, pp 1804-1809.
Sources: Goldstein D.; et al. "Orthostatic Hypotension From Sympathetic Denervation in Parkinson's Disease," Neurology 2002, vol. 58 pp 1247-55. Thaisetthawatkul P and others, "Autonomic Dysfunction In Dementia With Lewy Bodies." Neurology 2004, vol. 62, pp 1804-1809.
The Basics | Symptoms | Detection & Treatment
© 2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
Continue: Health Topics A-Z | Your Health Home