The heart pumps blood around the body, continuously delivering oxygen and other nutrients. Blood pressure refers to the force of blood pushing against the artery walls as the heart pumps. In a person with low blood pressure, blood flows through the veins and arteries with too little force. Doctors use two figures to denote blood pressure. The first refers to systolic blood pressure, which is the force of the blood against artery walls when the heart beats. The second refers to diastolic blood pressure, which is the force of the blood when the heart rests between beats. Healthcare professionals measure blood pressure readings in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A normal reading is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic, which doctors write as “less than 120/80 mm Hg.”To address low blood pressure, a doctor may adjust the dosage of an existing drug or recommend medications to increase blood pressure. Medications that they may prescribe include fludrocortisone and midodrine. Also, a person may benefit from: drinking more water throughout the day, avoiding alcohol, which can cause dehydration, eating more healthful, high sodium foods, drinking tomato juice or sports drinks,wearing compression socks that extend to the thighs or waist moving the legs to stimulate blood flow before getting out of bed.(Credits: www.medicalnewstoday.com)
