Question:
What is too low bp?

I have had high bp for years and as of late even with meds its been quite high. My PCP has been trying varying dosages and wants it perfect before my surgery. Well I've been monitering it and the last two weeks or so I'm around 100/50. Is this too low and will that cause me problems as I get closer to surgery ( I will be seeing PCP this week but I was curious if anyone has had a similar problem) Thanks!    — Laurie B. (posted on February 17, 2002)

February 17, 2002
I have a consistantly low BP which is even lower in the systolic part than yours...mine is usually about 85/52. That's "normal" for me. The only problem that I have found is that I am also anemic and being such, they won't operate on me because of the fear of stroke from the BP and the low iron. Otherwise there is nothing bad about it as far as I have found.
   — Barbara H.

February 17, 2002
The American Heart Assoc. deems anything over 160 on top and over 90 on bottom as HIGH. Most doctors say that a "normal" b/p is whatever is normal for "that person". The danger in low B/P is that your blood is not going thru your body with enough force to adequately profuse (supply oxygen) to major organs. That is why some people feel faint, tired, etc. when their B/P drops. In most people, an 80/50 B/P would be pretty low. One way to boost a B/P is with fluid intake. Most doctors consider 120/70-80, 110/60-70 range to be good for almost everyone. Of course, like I said, whatever is normal for an individual. Everyone is different. Usually after surgery, a doctor wants the B/P to stay up and not drop too low.
   — Bonnie H.

February 17, 2002
I have had low BP problems since I lost my weight. Recently, I was in the hospital for an appendectomy, and when my BP dropped to 70/40, all sorts of alarms went off. So I guess I would assume that's what's considered scary. 100 over 50 seems low, but not TOO low.
   — Terissa R.

February 18, 2002
The BP is a reflection of the highest pressure in your blood vessels and the lowest pressure in your blood vessels at that second when your blood pressure is taken. It varies from minute to minute. Guidelines put the higher number as 90 to 140 for a mature adult, with an older adult OK at 90 to 160. The bottom or lowest number is OK at 60 to 90. So with your BP of 100/50, you are at the lower range of normal at 100 and below normal at 50. If you feel well at 100/50, no dizzy spells, good circulation, that blood pressure is OK for you. Discuss your BP concerns with your PCP and the surgeon, they will be able to adjust the medicatin if necessary. Be sure and point out to the anesthesialogist prior to surgery that you tend to run a fairly low blood pressure.
   — blong

February 18, 2002
The BP is a reflection of the highest pressure in your blood vessels and the lowest pressure in your blood vessels at that second when your blood pressure is taken. It varies from minute to minute. Guidelines put the higher number as 90 to 140 for a mature adult, with an older adult OK at 90 to 160. The bottom or lowest number is OK at 60 to 90. So with your BP of 100/50, you are at the lower range of normal at 100 and below normal at 50. If you feel well at 100/50, no dizzy spells, good circulation, that blood pressure is OK for you. Discuss your BP concerns with your PCP and the surgeon, they will be able to adjust the medicatin if necessary. Be sure and point out to the anesthesialogist prior to surgery that you tend to run a fairly low blood pressure.
   — blong