Understanding High And Low Blood Pressure: Key Symptoms & Prevention

04/22/2025

Blood pressure is an important aspect of our general health. It's one of those things that doctors always monitor—and for a good reason. When blood pressure is outside the normal blood pressure range, it can quietly lead to severe health problems. Actually, both hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure) can be an indication that something is amiss in your body.

What Exactly Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It’s measured using two numbers:

• Systolic pressure (the higher number): Pressure during heart beats
• Diastolic pressure (the lower number): Pressure when the heart is resting between beats

A normal range of blood pressure is estimated at about 120/80 mmHg. Anything considerably above or below this can result in health issues.

What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?

High blood pressure refers to the fact that the blood is exerting too much force on your artery walls. Eventually, this pressure can hurt blood vessels and organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys.

You may not even know it's on its way—hypertension is sometimes referred to as a "silent killer" because it typically doesn't have symptoms until it's already doing damage.

What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

Although most individuals have no signs, some have:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue

These symptoms of high blood pressure usually appear when the condition is already serious. That’s why regular checkups and heart check-up tests are so important.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There are many reasons why someone may develop high blood pressure:

• Poor diet (too much salt, fat, or processed food)
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking and alcohol use
• Obesity or being overweight
• Stress
• Genetics or family history
• Aging
• Chronic conditions like kidney disease or diabetes

What Is Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)?

Low blood pressure is when your blood isn't moving with sufficient pressure to effectively get oxygen and nutrients to your organs. Although less frequent than hypertension, it can also lead to severe symptoms if the pressure suddenly drops.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?

The symptoms of low blood pressure are as follows:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Blurry vision
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Cold, clammy skin
• Rapid or shallow breathing
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Fainting spells

These symptoms may arise after getting up too fast, with dehydration, or because of an underlying medical condition.

What Causes Low Blood Pressure?

Low blood pressure may be caused by:

• Dehydration
• Blood loss (internal or external)
• Heart conditions such as heart failure or bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Endocrine disorders
• Certain medications
• Severe infection (septic shock)
• Pregnancy

Although some individuals naturally have a bit lower blood pressure without symptoms, sudden or major falls in blood pressure should never be dismissed.

Heart-Related Tests to Monitor Blood Pressure

If you’re experiencing symptoms or are at risk for heart disease, your doctor may recommend heart-related tests. These include:

• Blood test for heart function and cholesterol levels
• ECG (Electrocardiogram) to monitor heart rhythm
• Echocardiogram to check heart structure and function
• Stress test to see how your heart performs under effort
• Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for 24-hour blood pressure tracking

What to Do in Low Blood Pressure?

If you are confused about what to do in low blood pressure, here are some immediate and long-term tips:

• Sit or lie down immediately to prevent fainting
• Raise your feet to promote blood circulation to the brain
• Have water—dehydration is a frequent culprit
• Have small, frequent meals
• Steer clear of alcohol and standing for extended periods
• Discuss with a doctor changing medicines if necessary

If the symptoms are recurring or severe, have yourself checked to determine the underlying cause.

How to Control Blood Pressure Naturally

Regardless of whether your blood pressure is high, low, or at risk of changing, there are a number of lifestyle practices that can be helpful:

1. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

Cut back on salt, processed food, and sugar. Increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

2. Be Active

Exercise regulates blood pressure and keeps the heart healthy. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days.

3. Cut Back on Alcohol and Stop Smoking

Alcohol increases blood pressure, and smoking causes arteries to harden. Eliminating these can have a significant impact.

4. Control Stress

Chronic stress is a cause of high blood pressure. Give yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or simply spending time on what you enjoy a try.

5. Sleep Well

Bad sleep increases your risk for high blood pressure. Get 7–8 hours of good-quality sleep each night.

How to Prevent High Blood Pressure?

Preventing high blood pressure is a question that many ask—particularly if they have a history of it in their family. Prevention is less complicated than cure, and the following steps can be taken:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid too much salt and processed foods
• Get blood pressure checked regularly
• Be active and control stress
• Have regular heart check-ups to monitor progress

Treatment for High Blood Pressure

If lifestyle modifications are not sufficient, your physician may prescribe medication for elevated blood pressure including:

• ACE inhibitors or ARBs
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Calcium channel blockers
• Beta-blockers
• Lifestyle modification

Always take medications as directed and do not discontinue without consulting your physician.

When Should You Get a Blood Pressure Check?

Still unsure when to have your blood pressure checked. If you:

• Have a family history of heart disease
• Are obese or over age 40
• Experience symptoms such as dizziness, tiredness, or chest discomfort
• Have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease

Then it's time to have your blood pressure and heart evaluated. You can also request a heart test name list from your physician to know what's applicable to you.

Cardiology Tests to Remember

Here's a brief list  of key cardiology tests used to identify and monitor blood pressure issues:

Conclusion

Blood pressure may appear to be nothing more than a number on a medical report, but it reveals a more profound tale about how your body is working. Whether you have high blood pressure or low blood pressure, it's crucial to pay attention to your body, identify the signs, and take action.

Lifestyle adjustments such as a balanced diet, proper exercise, stress reduction, and regular check-ups can help immensely in avoiding complications. If complications already exist, there are sufficient treatments for hypertension and hypotension.

Then, monitor your numbers, go for the relevant heart-related checks, and pay attention to your health.