Low Blood Pressure

A persons normal Blood Pressure reading is around 120/80

The first number, the systolic blood pressure represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood into them.

The second number, the diastolic blood pressure represents the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart relaxes afterwards.

Blood pressures over 130/80 are generally considered high.
Blood pressures under 110/70 or 90/60 are generally considered low, depending on which sources are being used.

Dizziness, light-headedness and fatigue are often associated with low blood pressure. Fainting can occur in extreme low blood pressure.

Both Low and High Blood pressures can be dangerous, but just looking at the numbers without looking at all facts is not the whole story.

Some people have a higher, or lower, than normal blood pressure, and it is the change to that “normal” rate that must be taken into account.

It would appear that low blood pressure is defined not by the actual readings from the testing equipment, but by the signs and symptoms that the individual has.

For example a person with a reading of 90/50 but with no symptoms or effects of low blood pressure, and does not ‘suffer’ from low blood pressure, may not be considered to have a low blood pressure from a medical point of view.

Average Blood Pressures by age grouping:

Age 15 to 19 117 over 77
Age 20 to 24 120 over 79
Age 25 to 29 121 over 80
Age 30 to 34 122 over 81
Age 35 to 39 123 over 82
Age 40 to 44 125 over 83
Age 45 to 49 127 over 84
Age 50 to 54 129 over 85
Age 55 to 59 131 over 86
Age 60 to 64 134 over 87