Hypotension

[Barbara]

Low Blood Pressures run natrually in my family. Normally my BP is 80/62. I recently became a victim of heat stress, and the Paramedic told me my BP was alright..120/76. My concern is if I am not able to communicate the fact that I have this condition, how will those giving me aid know? Is there a medical alert braclet for this condition....if not what do I do to alert those of this condition?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Barbara,
Usually low blood pressure is not considered a problem.  In fact it is a good thing.  It also does not mean the when your blood pressure is in the 'normal range' that it is high for you.  You can have medical alert bracelets made to say anything but I don't think it would change the treatment that you received.

[Beth (to Betty)]

Barbara, I completely understand your concern.  An almost identical incident happened to me.  Low BP and low pulse rate run in my family (I am typically 80/60 and 44 bpm).  When I passed out because of heat related stress, the EMT crew who came to my rescue did not evaluate my state as very severe because my BP was 135/95 and pulse 97.   A huge discrepancy from my normal values but not out of the ordinary for most people my age.