Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is a condition where the blood pressure is much lower than expected. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, and it is measured in two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood) and diastolic pressure (the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats) . A reading of less than 90/60 mm Hg is considered hypotension.

Low blood pressure might cause no noticeable symptoms, or it might cause dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, fainting, fatigue, neck or back pain, headache, blurred vision, heart palpitations, or feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or too fast. Most health care professionals will only consider chronically low blood pressure as dangerous if it causes noticeable signs and symptoms.

The causes of low blood pressure range from dehydration to serious medical conditions. Some underlying causes of low blood pressure include prolonged bed rest, depression, Parkinsons disease, pregnancy, heart problems, and stroke. Its important to see a health care provider to get a correct diagnosis and treatment, if necessary.