Should I be worried about low blood pressure?

[Adayintheworld]

Reposting from 'general health' for traffic.

I'm in my late 30s and 63kg. My blood pressure is usually around 117/70, and has been most of my life. During my pregnancies it did lower at the end (rather than the rise that most people experience), which made me dizzy. The MW said at the time she wasn't concerned, as it was classed as low healthy. After pregnancy it went back up to my usual reading.
Recently, I have been suffering from dizziness, a general spaced out feeling, weak legs, and a lack of energy at times (not all of the time).
I have checked my blood pressure and have noticed that during one of the dizzy spells, it is low, and a healthy reading during the times I feel better. It has been ranging from 86/45 at its lowest to around 110/70. It seems to drop and rise throughout the day, and it isn't related to transitioning from standing to sitting. My bp will change at rest or while walking, there isn't a pattern.
Does anybody know what the cause may be? Are there any health professionals who could kindly share their medical expertise. Thank you.

Sorry, forgot to say I would be interested to hear from anybody who has had similar symptoms, and what the cause was.

My BP has always been low and became lower during pregnancy - I fainted a few times.

Last measure was 90/60 and nurse said it was low but not worryingly so. GP told me years ago it's better to have low BP than high.

Only symptoms are that I feel faint if I have to stand for long periods, especially if I'm hot, or if I stand up too quickly. It also takes me a ridiculously long time to give blood although the nurse didn't think that had anything to do with BP. Other than that I'm thankfully very healthy.

Blood pressure naturally goes up and down during the day so I wouldn't read too much into that. I have low blood pressure and do get dizzy sometimes, especially when I've been bending down for a while.

I don't think anyone can say if your symptoms are due to blood pressure. If you are concerned, book an appointment at your practice. They will hopefully do a routine set of blood tests which could pick up all sorts of reasons for you feeling weak, spaced out and lacking energy. It might be iron for example. They will also be able to reassure you about your blood pressure.

Thank you, my iron levels are good. I have a healthy diet, and take extra vitamins too.
The symptoms are coinciding with the BP dips, when my bp is low healthy eg 90/60, or higher i have energy, when it is lower (I have none iyswim). It isn’t my usual reading, especially when it drops to 86/45. I have noticed this issue started suddenly a couple of months ago so it isn't the norm for me. My youngest child is now 5, so it isn't left over issues from pregnancy or anything like this.
I will think about gp, I just thought they might laugh me out of there, as it seems they're only bothered with high BP?

Yes 90/60 is the lowest healthy limit. Mine has been dipping to 86/45, which is making me unwell. I'll probably send an e-consult tomorrow.
My normal reading is around 117/70, and I feel really good at this level. If yours has always been lowish, and you feel okay, than that is probably your norm.

I don't know about whether it's okay if it suddenly becomes low (deficiency or thyroid issue possibly), but I've always had very low blood pressure - like around 70/40. Whenever I've been in hospital they've had to switch off the monitors because they constantly beep with low blood pressure alerts.

Mine is regularly about 95/50 and I get dizzy often. The GP has not been concerned though. I make sure I add salt to food which is meant to help.

Thank you, oh gosh, that must be so scary for you. I think that's exactly it, it suddenly became this way a couple of months ago, and isn't my "norm" and then coupled with the symptoms had me alittle worried.
I haven't changed anything in my lifestyle. I have been getting some pain on my lower left stomach, left hip and lower back, frequent urination, which i have put down to endometriosis (never been diagnosed). I probably need to get checked.

Thank you, I guess I need a packet of Crisps tonight than. Dh is saying I need more salt too. The dizziness is horrible isn't it? I was walking in the supermarket a couple of days ago, and then suddenly, my legs felt they were going to give way. I was worried people would think I was drunk!

I've had low blood pressure for years and have fainted quite frequently from it in the past. The only advice I was given by drs was to increase fluids and salt and compression tights. I did try blood pressure raising medication once but it made me feel seriously unwell and drove my blood pressure sky high.

Thanks. I think I was concerned because it has came on suddenly within the last couple of months, it isn't my norm.

I would start by increasing your fluid intake and adding salt to your food. If you see no improvement in your symptoms from this then book a GP appointment.

I also have low blood pressure. When it dips I need a large glass of water and sometimes I also have a snack. Are you drinking enough?

My BP has never been up to normal limits, even when pregnant. I’m pension age now, and it’s her caused me a problem. 👍

Thank you, yes I drink plenty water. It has just came on in the last couple of months so I'm not quite sure on the cause, with it not being my norm.

Yes, if it has always been that way, and hasn't caused you a problem I wouldn't be worried either.

Some people just have a lower blood pressure than others. My blood pressure has always been lower than average (from my twenties to now my forties). My mother is the same. Doctors are not concerned, just something I have to be careful about.

Mine hasn't always been this way, and isn't my norm.

Mine is low. And I feel the same. Lack of energy and foggy brain. I take my blood pressure every morning. Gives me a heads up what my day is like.

I have to add more salt to my food. As I am a clean eater and don’t add it in. But I don’t like the taste. I do now however eat ready salted crisps which I hate and hate the ingredients that go into crisps. I’m still struggling though.

Has yours always been this way? Mine has just changed in the last couple of months and will be fine and then dip again multiple times throughout the day, I couldn't even predict what the day would be like as it is very variable. What I am doing has no baring on it either, for example I could be sitting watching the TV, and it will just randomly drop right down. I know this because I will feel unwell, then test and sure enough it is that. It started a couple of months ago; I have no idea why. I hear you on the salt, I hate it too, and rarely add it to foods. I might get in some lightly salted nuts.

I have been getting pains in my lower left stomach, lower back and left hip, but I'm sure this is just endometriosis, or a nerve issue, and hopefully unconnected.

In that case keep pushing with your GP to investigate. Have you had bloods tested?

Have you done sitting/standing blood pressure readings? If it drops when you stand up you may have postural hypotension and should have a chat with a medic.

@Adayintheworld it has been low on and off for a few years. But only in the last couple has it made an impact on my day. The doctor says it is better to be low than high. But that doesn’t stop me feeling like my arms and legs are like lead some days. And other days I shouldn’t be driving.

but like u. I can sit and feel it suddenly going lower and I have gone from feeling okay to feeling awful.

I now track every aspect of my life even down to the food I eat everyday. Seeing if I can find a pattern.

@Adayintheworld I know this post is a couple of months old but did you get to the bottom on why your BP has been low lately? I've been suffering from the exact same thing. My BP was always on the lower end (115/65-70) but for the past 4 weeks, it's been around 100/55 and when this happens, I feel lightheaded and slightly breathless. Like you, if I'm feeling OK, I take my BP and it's gone back up to within normal range.

Can I ask how old you are? I'm 41 and therefore wondering if its perimenopause as it's come on suddenly...

@Andtheworldwentwhite do you know why your low bp started to cause you problems? Did you have any tests done? And did you ever experience breathlessness with low bp?