Re: low blood pressure

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on March 04, 1999 at 17:04:34:

In Reply to: low blood pressure posted by k.troehler on March 04, 1999 at 16:28:59:






i am a 23 year old female and concerned about low blood pressure.  i recently went to the doctor and the nurse, after taking my blood pressure asked me if i had always had low blood pressure.  i didn't really know the answer.  she did not tell me what my blood pressure was but asked if i got light headed alot or dizzy.  when thinking about it more i realized that i often get light headed and dizzy, especially when i get up quickly.  i am also usually very cold, especially my fingers and even my nose.  is there anything serious or detrimental about low blood pressure, what causes it? ironically my family has a history of high blood pressure.  





Dear K
Low blood pressure is only a problem if it causes symptoms, especially dizziness. You should find out just how low your blood pressure gets. If you have symptomatic low blood pressure, you may just need to keep yourself well-hydrated. If that is not sufficient, there are medications that can raise your blood pressure. However, many young, healthy people have "low" blood pressure, which is really just on the lower end of normal.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.