Blood Health

Low Blood Pressure / Hypotension: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Updated on 2025-06-10

Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.

What is considered normal blood pressure levels? Is constant dizziness is a red flag? Get practical tips on symptoms, causes, improvements, and diet hacks!

How to Define Low Blood Pressure? What Are the Standards?

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, refers to blood pressure that falls below the normal range. For healthy adults, the standard blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, while low blood pressure is defined as readings dropping to less than 90/60 mmHg. This means systolic pressure <90 mmHg , and diastolic pressure <60 mmHg ¹ .

What Causes Low Blood Pressure?

The following reasons can all lead to low blood pressure ¹ :

Pregnancy: Changes during pregnancy, such as hormonal shifts, can cause blood vessels to expand rapidly, leading to lower blood pressure. Generally, low blood pressure is common in pregnant women before 24 weeks, and blood pressure usually returns to pre-pregnancy levels after delivery.
Heart and heart valve problems: Conditions like heart attacks, heart failure, heart valve diseases, and bradycardia (an abnormally slow heartbeat) can trigger low blood pressure.
Hormone-related disorders (endocrine imbalances): Diseases affecting the parathyroid or adrenal glands, such as Addison’s disease (where cortisol levels are too low), can lower blood pressure. Additionally, low blood sugar or diabetes might also cause it.
Dehydration: When your body lacks water, blood volume decreases, which can lead to low blood pressure. Factors like fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, excessive use of diuretics, or intense exercise can cause dehydration.
Blood loss: Excessive blood loss reduces the volume of blood in your body, causing a significant drop in blood pressure.
Severe infection: When pathogens infect the blood, it can lead to sepsis, which lowers blood pressure and may even progress to septic shock—a life-threatening condition.
Severe allergic reactions: These can cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure.
Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of vitamin B-12, folic acid, or iron can lead to anemia, which in turn may cause low blood pressure.

Additionally, when you shift from a sitting or lying position to standing and there’s not enough blood flow to your brain, your blood pressure might temporarily drop. This is known as orthostatic hypotension ² .

What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?

The symptoms of low blood pressure can vary from person to person. If you have low blood pressure, you might commonly experience the following symptoms ³ :

Dizziness or lightheadedness: This is one of the most common symptoms of low blood pressure. When blood pressure drops, the brain may not get enough oxygen and nutrients, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness.
Weakness or fatigue: Low blood pressure can make you feel weak or tired because your body isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
Palpitations or rapid heartbeat: Low blood pressure might cause your heart to beat faster or lead to palpitations , as your heart has to work harder to keep blood circulating.
Loss of balance or fainting: In severe cases, low blood pressure can cause loss of balance or fainting, which might result in injury.
Blurred vision: Low blood pressure can lead to blurred vision or a sense of dizziness.

Who is prone to low blood pressure?

The following groups of people are more likely to develop low blood pressure:

Elderly ¹ : As we age, various bodily functions decline, including the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system, which can increase the risk of low blood pressure.
Pregnant women (commonly before 24 weeks) ¹ : During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause blood vessels to expand rapidly, leading to lower blood pressure.
People who are bedridden for long periods ¹ : Prolonged bed rest can cause blood to pool in the body, resulting in low blood pressure.
Those with conditions like diabetes , endocrine disorders, heart disease , kidney disease, anemia , or Parkinson’s disease ¹
Individuals taking medications for blood pressure, antidepressants, Parkinson’s disease, or erectile dysfunction ⁴
People with autonomic nervous system disorders ⁴

Dietary Advice: What Should People with Low Blood Pressure Eat?

If you have low blood pressure, you can start by adjusting your diet and use the following foods to raise blood pressure and prevent hypotension:

Salt ⁴
Foods containing Vitamin B-12 ⁵ , such as meat, fish, and dairy products
Foods containing folic acid ⁵ , such as dark green vegetables, broccoli, beans, eggs, beets, citrus fruits, nuts, and liver
Caffeine ⁵ : Consuming an appropriate amount of caffeine, such as chocolate, tea, or coffee, can help raise blood pressure.

Keep in mind that everyone’s physical condition and physiological characteristics are different, so dietary adjustments should be tailored to the individual. If you have any health concerns, it’s recommended to consult a doctor.

How to Treat Low Blood Pressure?

You can treat low blood pressure through the following methods:

Drink more water and avoid alcohol ⁴ : Staying hydrated helps increase blood volume, while reducing alcohol intake can prevent fluid loss and lower the risk of hypotension.
Improve dietary habits ⁵ : Consume foods containing Vitamin B-12, folic acid, and an appropriate amount of salt. If you have low blood pressure, avoid low-salt diets.
Appropriate medication treatment: If low blood pressure is caused by certain diseases or medications, suitable treatment may be needed. ³
Avoid switching your position too quickly: Changing from sitting or lying down to standing too fast can be avoided to prevent orthostatic hypotension. ³
Wear compression stockings: This improves blood circulation and reduces instances of low blood pressure. ⁴

Does Bowtie Insurance Provide Coverage for Low Blood Pressure?

Low blood pressure may be related to diabetes, hypothyroidism, heart, or kidney diseases. If you want to obtain inpatient medical coverage, you may consider Bowtie Pink VHIS , which provides actual cost reimbursement for medical coverage, eligible medical expenses can be fully compensated* . Get a quote immediately for yourself or your family.

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^{*Full coverage shall mean no itemized benefit sub-limits, and applies to designated benefit items only. The benefit payable shall be subject to the remaining deductible (if applicable), annual benefit limit, lifetime benefit limit and other limitations such as reasonable and customary charges, a pre-existing condition, “List of Designated Hospitals in Mainland China” and receiving medical treatment in the United States. For detailed terms and conditions, product risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product website and policy.}
^{^For example, with Bowtie Pink (Ward) and the deductible option HK$80,000, the monthly premium for a 30-year-old non-smoker is HK$197. The premium comparison above is based on similar medical insurance plans with the ward level (data source on 27, July 2023), HK$50,000 to HK$80,000 deductibles, for a 30-year-old non-smoker. Different medical insurance plans have different coverage and benefit limits. For details, please refer to the relevant insurance policy and its terms and conditions.}

* Full compensation means there is no sub-item compensation limit and it only applies to specified coverage items. The payable compensation is subject to the deductible balance (if applicable), annual coverage limit, lifetime coverage limit, and other restrictions including reasonable and customary charges, pre-existing conditions, the list of designated hospitals in Mainland China, and matters related to medical treatment in the United States. For detailed product terms and conditions, product risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product website and policy.

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Author

Bowtie Team

The Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited is an authorized life insurance company and Hong Kong’s very first virtual insurer approved. Through the use of modern technology and medical expertise, Bowtie offers an agent-free, commission-free and more convenient online platform for customers to quote, apply and claim for Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) anytime anywhere. Bowtie is ranked first in the direct channel sales throughout 2021. Stay up to date at www.bowtie.com.hk