How low is too low for blood pressure?Within certain limits, the lower your blood pressure reading is, the better. There is also no specific number at which day-to-day blood pressure is considered too low, as long as none of the symptoms of trouble are present. Show
Symptoms of low blood pressureMost doctors will only consider chronically low blood pressure as dangerous if it causes noticeable signs and symptoms, such as:
Underlying causes of low blood pressureLow blood pressure can occur with:
If you notice a sudden decline in blood pressureA single lower-than-normal reading is not cause for alarm, unless you are experiencing any other symptoms or problems. If you experience any dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or other symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider. To help with your diagnosis, keep a record of your symptoms and activities at the time they occurred. Is low blood pressure related to low heart rate? Find out. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.
What is dehydration?Dehydration is a health condition that occurs when your body doesn’t have enough fluids. It can result from both not consuming enough fluids from foods and beverages, as well as losing bodily fluids — through processes like excretion and sweating — at a faster rate than they’re being replaced. We’ve all been dehydrated at one point or another. In fact, some surveys estimate that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. When it’s not addressed, dehydration can become severe and even pose life-threatening risks.1 Untreated dehydration can promote things like kidney issues, heat sickness, and dangerous changes in blood pressure. Symptoms of dehydration
Some of the most common dehydration symptoms include:
Signs of severe dehydration can progress to things like blurred vision, nausea, cold and clammy skin, shallow breathing, and a weak but rapid pulse. If you notice serious dehydration symptoms like these or are concerned about potentially low blood pressure levels, it’s always best to seek medical attention. How does dehydration affect blood pressure?When you become dehydrated, it’s likely that you’ll experience some of the symptoms listed above before you realize that there have also been changes in your blood pressure. Blood pressure is how forcefully your blood moves through your veins and arteries, and how much pressure it places on the walls of your circulatory system.2 A blood pressure of around 120/80 mm Hg is considered to be normal and healthy for most people. The top number refers to your systolic blood pressure, which indicates the pressure your blood is placing on your artery walls during heartbeats. The bottom number refers to your diastolic blood pressure, which indicates the pressure your blood is placing on your artery walls when your heart is at rest, or between beats. These numbers can be influenced by a variety of things, including your hydration status. When you’re dehydrated, your blood pressure can actually go either up or down. A low blood pressure reading is typically anything below 90/60 mm Hg. When you’re dehydrated, this can lead to a reduction in total blood volume, which in turn reduces how much force your blood is exerting on your arteries. Left untreated, this becomes dangerous because having low blood volume means your organs won’t receive the nutrients and oxygen they need to survive. This could ultimately lead to shock. A high blood pressure reading is usually above 140/90 mm Hg. While the mechanism is less intuitive, being dehydrated can also raise blood pressure levels. It appears to be related to dehydration-induced changes in the secretion of a hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin is a pituitary hormone released to increase blood pressure and promote water retention by your kidneys, instead of losing it through urine excretion. When you’re dehydrated, more vasopressin is secreted in an attempt to rebalance fluid and blood pressure levels. Why does this increase blood pressure? Vasopressin can make your blood vessels constrict, which consequently reduces the space through which your blood is circulating and increases its force on arterial walls. Causes of dehydrationThe most obvious reason behind becoming dehydrated is not drinking enough fluids. However, water and high blood pressure can be tricky. Other factors can also promote dehydration, such as:
In all of these instances, it’s important to stay hydrated to help replenish fluids lost. Sipping small amounts of water or broth throughout the day when you’re sick, electrolyte-containing beverages during a tough workout, and hydrating foods and beverages when you’re outdoors are all good practices to remember to prevent dehydration. How much fluid should you drink?Daily fluid needs vary between individuals because they depend on unique factors like how old you are, your sex, existing health conditions, any medications you’re taking, your activity level, and if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. According to the Mayo Clinic and U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, a general rule of thumb is to aim for:3
When you schedule a 1:1 session, I can help personalize a nutrition and hydration plan for you to meet your health goals like managing blood pressure and improve your cardiovascular function and health. Hydrating foods and beveragesThe best fluid for hydration is regular water. However, if you find that you’re getting sick of drinking plain water all the time, there are some ways to enhance its flavor and rotate in other hydrating beverages and foods. For instance:
Beverages and blood pressure medicationsKeep in mind that some hydrating beverages, particularly herbal teas, have been found to naturally lower blood pressure.4 This can be helpful to a degree, but can actually cause blood pressure to drop too much if you’re taking medications that are intended to lower blood pressure. For instance, research has found that drinking daily hibiscus tea — even in doses of 10 grams of hibiscus per 0.5 Liters — can lower blood pressure both among people who are and are not taking medication.5,6 In one meta-analysis including 24 studies, researchers found that green tea could also significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in short-term trials. Even doses of 120 mL (a half cup) per day of green or oolong tea have had this effect when people are drinking it regularly over a long period.7 Other research has found that 3 cups of black tea per day is also effective for lowering blood pressure when people are drinking it consistently for at least 6 months.8 This doesn’t mean you should stop drinking your favorite teas if you use blood pressure medications, but it does mean it’s important to monitor your blood pressure closely to make sure it stays within a healthy range.
Seeking support for high blood pressureIf you’re concerned about your blood pressure and how your hydration or other lifestyle habits may be affecting it, seeking professional support is a great step forward. As a registered dietitian who specializes in cardiac care, I’ve helped thousands of people achieve their heart health goals, including blood-pressure friendly tips to stay hydrated. In your sessions, we can create a heart healthy hydration and nutrition plan for you, so you can feel confident that you are drinking enough (but not too much!) and that you are adding in therapeutic foods that help mange your blood pressure, and optimize your heart health and function!
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Does dehydration affect blood pressure and heart rate?Dehydration can negatively affect your organs and bodily functions, including your heart and cardiovascular system. When you are dehydrated your blood volume, or the amount of blood circulating through your body, decreases. To compensate, your heart beats faster, increasing your heart rate and your blood pressure.
Can being dehydrated cause your blood pressure to go up?When your body is dehydrated, it releases higher amounts of a chemical called vasopressin. Vasopressin helps your kidneys retain water, which can prevent you from losing more water through urination. At the same time, it causes your blood vessels to constrict, which then causes your blood pressure to increase.
Can heart rate be high due to dehydration?If you are dehydrated, the amount of blood circulating through your body decreases. Your heart will try to compensate by beating faster, increasing your heart rate. This places strain on your heart as it needs to work harder than normal.
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