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What Causes How BP?
Question: Greetings. For many years my 56 year old wife has had lower than normal blood pressure, around 85-100 over 60-70. Doctors always tell her there's nothing to be concerned about. What is the probable underlying physiological cause for that? Too much nitric oxide? A heart issue?
She also has a deviated septum, and ENT doctors tell her it's not such a big deal, and the deviated septum is best left alone and "everybody" has it.
What is your opinion about this?
Thanks.
She also has a deviated septum, and ENT doctors tell her it's not such a big deal, and the deviated septum is best left alone and "everybody" has it.
What is your opinion about this?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
low limit of normal for blood pressure is 90/60
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The normal range for blood pressure is an upper reading (systolic) of 90 to 120 and a lower reading (diastolic) of 60 to 80.
This means the lower limit of normal is 90/60. Some persons may have readings around this or , in some cases, a little lower than this.
If it is significantly lower than the 90/60 then it would be called hypotension (low blood pressure)
If there are no symptoms then no treatment may not be needed. Treatment is normally only started if there are symptoms of the low blood pressure.
Low blood pressure can be due to : (1) not enough fluids- dehydration is a very common cause
(2)heart disease- there are some kinds of heart disease that can cause hypotension such as heart failure, very slow heart rate
If there are no symptoms of heart disease then this may not be present but can be ruled out by ECG and echo if needed.
(3)hormonal disease- eg abnormal levels of some hormones can cause low blood pressure eg low cortisol or low aldosterone
In terms of the septum, treatment is only needed if she is has nasal congestion or any difficulty breathing due to the deviation.
If there are no significant symptoms then treatment is not needed.
As mentioned by her doctors, it is common.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
low limit of normal for blood pressure is 90/60
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The normal range for blood pressure is an upper reading (systolic) of 90 to 120 and a lower reading (diastolic) of 60 to 80.
This means the lower limit of normal is 90/60. Some persons may have readings around this or , in some cases, a little lower than this.
If it is significantly lower than the 90/60 then it would be called hypotension (low blood pressure)
If there are no symptoms then no treatment may not be needed. Treatment is normally only started if there are symptoms of the low blood pressure.
Low blood pressure can be due to : (1) not enough fluids- dehydration is a very common cause
(2)heart disease- there are some kinds of heart disease that can cause hypotension such as heart failure, very slow heart rate
If there are no symptoms of heart disease then this may not be present but can be ruled out by ECG and echo if needed.
(3)hormonal disease- eg abnormal levels of some hormones can cause low blood pressure eg low cortisol or low aldosterone
In terms of the septum, treatment is only needed if she is has nasal congestion or any difficulty breathing due to the deviation.
If there are no significant symptoms then treatment is not needed.
As mentioned by her doctors, it is common.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, Dr. James! Well, my wife has never known any specific symptoms related to heart issues, but she is "lucky" that her BP has never risen like most people. But about the hormonal issues, should she check that specifically after all these years? What are the effects of low cortisol or aldosterone?
About the septum, the ENT told her he could perform a ballooning procedure but cannot guarantee it will change anything. Especially since she has no severe congestion, etc. What do you think of the ballooning procedure to enlarge the nasal area?
About the septum, the ENT told her he could perform a ballooning procedure but cannot guarantee it will change anything. Especially since she has no severe congestion, etc. What do you think of the ballooning procedure to enlarge the nasal area?
Brief Answer:
if no significant congestion symptoms, then unnecessary
Detailed Answer:
HI
If she has no symptoms then normally no further checks are needed.
In terms of the low cortisol or aldosterone would be associated with other symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, numbness.
If she is experiencing these or other symptoms then blood tests to check levels would be needed.
If she has no symptoms of severe nasal congestion then the ballooning, as you mentioned, would not have any significant effect and would be unnecessary.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
if no significant congestion symptoms, then unnecessary
Detailed Answer:
HI
If she has no symptoms then normally no further checks are needed.
In terms of the low cortisol or aldosterone would be associated with other symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, numbness.
If she is experiencing these or other symptoms then blood tests to check levels would be needed.
If she has no symptoms of severe nasal congestion then the ballooning, as you mentioned, would not have any significant effect and would be unnecessary.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Woudn't muscle weakness and fatigue be kind of generalized categories that could be caused by other things? She was found to have very slight "regurgitation" in one heart valve, but was told this is rather common, and not to be concerned at this point. Would these have any relationship?
Brief Answer:
can be associated with a number of conditions
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes, muscle weakness and fatigue can be due to a wide range of conditions but if persistent and severe can be related to these hormonal conditions because these hormones impact on the levels of certain electrolytes.
Abnormal levels of electrolytes would then cause weakness and other symptoms.
Blood tests can check the electrolyte levels and if persistently abnormal, the hormonal levels.
In terms of the slight regurgitation, this is also not an abnormal feature.
Severe regurgitation can cause symptoms related to heart failure- shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, weight loss, productive cough (due to fluid in the lungs), change in heart rate, weakness.
Mild regurg is normally not associated with any symptoms in most persons. Treatment of any risk factors that may worsen it (like high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes) would help.
If any else is unclear , you can feel free to ask
can be associated with a number of conditions
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes, muscle weakness and fatigue can be due to a wide range of conditions but if persistent and severe can be related to these hormonal conditions because these hormones impact on the levels of certain electrolytes.
Abnormal levels of electrolytes would then cause weakness and other symptoms.
Blood tests can check the electrolyte levels and if persistently abnormal, the hormonal levels.
In terms of the slight regurgitation, this is also not an abnormal feature.
Severe regurgitation can cause symptoms related to heart failure- shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, weight loss, productive cough (due to fluid in the lungs), change in heart rate, weakness.
Mild regurg is normally not associated with any symptoms in most persons. Treatment of any risk factors that may worsen it (like high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes) would help.
If any else is unclear , you can feel free to ask
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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