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Question: What happens if blood pressure is to low? What is considered a dangerous lower number? Adult is on coreg, bumix and spirolactone. Has a defib. Adult male is 72. What is a normal bp for him. He has lost about 30 pounds and is 70 inches tall
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that a low blood pressure is not considered so dangerous in general compared with abnormally high blood pressure.
But, if BP values are markedly lowered, equal or less than 90 mmHg for systolic and equal or less than 60 mmHg diastolic then serious problems may arise.
Such a decreased blood pressure may directly be implicated to a decreased systemic blood flow: cerebral, kidney, splanchnic (abdominal orgains) leading to symptoms of dizziness, fainting and even loss of consciousness.
Also, decreased kidney blood flow may lead to renal dysfunction and its consequent implications in hydro-electrolytic and acid-base balance which may triger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
The acceptable values for an individual of similar age would be a BP between 110/70 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg.
For properly controlling blood pressure, it is necessary to review his cardiac function by a cardiac ultrasound exam (ECHO) and optimize his actua lantihypertensive therapy.
First of all it is necessary to exclude any evidence of dehydration (as he is using diuretics in therapy).
Also, a close BP monitoring for a couple of days (several BP measurements daily up to a week) would be necessary to conclude about possible hypotension trends.
Also, lowering body weight leads to a decrease of the average BP values, so less antihypertensive therapy may be warranted after that.
That's why it is important to check cardiac function and the following:
- complete blood count (to exclude anemia),
- thyroid function tests (a reason for hypertension),
- BUN and creatinine (to investigate renal function),
- AST & ALT
and after checking those BP values for a few days to discuss with the attending physician on the possibility of reviewing the antihypertensive therapy, especially diuretics (burnex) which may lead to dehydration in the elderly and subsequent hypotension.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that a low blood pressure is not considered so dangerous in general compared with abnormally high blood pressure.
But, if BP values are markedly lowered, equal or less than 90 mmHg for systolic and equal or less than 60 mmHg diastolic then serious problems may arise.
Such a decreased blood pressure may directly be implicated to a decreased systemic blood flow: cerebral, kidney, splanchnic (abdominal orgains) leading to symptoms of dizziness, fainting and even loss of consciousness.
Also, decreased kidney blood flow may lead to renal dysfunction and its consequent implications in hydro-electrolytic and acid-base balance which may triger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
The acceptable values for an individual of similar age would be a BP between 110/70 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg.
For properly controlling blood pressure, it is necessary to review his cardiac function by a cardiac ultrasound exam (ECHO) and optimize his actua lantihypertensive therapy.
First of all it is necessary to exclude any evidence of dehydration (as he is using diuretics in therapy).
Also, a close BP monitoring for a couple of days (several BP measurements daily up to a week) would be necessary to conclude about possible hypotension trends.
Also, lowering body weight leads to a decrease of the average BP values, so less antihypertensive therapy may be warranted after that.
That's why it is important to check cardiac function and the following:
- complete blood count (to exclude anemia),
- thyroid function tests (a reason for hypertension),
- BUN and creatinine (to investigate renal function),
- AST & ALT
and after checking those BP values for a few days to discuss with the attending physician on the possibility of reviewing the antihypertensive therapy, especially diuretics (burnex) which may lead to dehydration in the elderly and subsequent hypotension.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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