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THIS is one condition even the afflicted tend to forget because it does not call for constant monitoring and presents no apparent danger. Bu...

THIS is one condition even the afflicted tend to forget because it does not call for constant monitoring and presents no apparent danger. But low blood pressure takes a significant toll on quality of life by impacting productivity, vigour and general well-being.

8226; What is 8216;low8217; BP?
While 8216;normal8217; blood pressure is considered to be 120/80, the healthy zone extends generously to either side. However, if your reading is below 90 for systolic when your heart beats and 60 for diastolic when your heart relaxes, you would be considered to have low blood pressure. This does not necessarily indicate a problem; in fact people with low BP are believed to live longer than people with high BP.

8226; How does it develop?
8216;8216;There is no apparent medical reason for low BP,8217;8217; says Dr Nishith Chandra, senior consultant, Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi. 8216;8216;It happens because the blood cools and goes down to the lower limbs. But the subject needs to be studied more exhaustively.8217;8217;

However, there are strong associations between low BP and certain conditions, says Chandra. These include:

8226; Tiredness, depression and anxiety
8226; Diabetes or diseases affecting automatic nerves
8226; Intake of tranquilisers, betablockers and other cardiac drugs
8226; There8217;s also some overlap with the poorly defined chronic fatigue syndrome, but it is yet to be determined whether low BP is responsible for these symptoms

8226; Who is most at risk?
Women generally have lower blood pressure than men. An Irish study found that approximately 50 per cent of medically healthy people have had low BP episodes lasting at least an hour. This phenomenon is more common in women than in men. The elderly, too, are more susceptible to low BP.

	SPILLOVER
	8216;8216;Sometimes low BP can be a side effect of prescribed medication. In that case, your doctor may wish to alter the dose,8217;8217; says Dr Nishith Chandra. 8216;8216;A number of people also need to take medication for low blood pressure. Drugs that constrict the arteries can help elderly people who suffer the symptoms when they change posture.8217;8217; Story continues below this ad

8226; What are the symptoms of low BP?
According to Chandra, low BP can cause dizziness, particularly on change of posture for example, standing up suddenly from a sitting posture, or even after exercising or eating. Restlessness, fatigue and general weakness are the other common symptoms.

8216;8216;Orthostatic hypotension, a severe type of low blood pressure problem, is observed in some people8212;even in children8212;who may fall in the process of standing up. It is said to be common among people who are perpetually anxious,8217;8217; says Chandra.

8226; Is there any way to normalise low BP?

8216;8216;While people with high blood pressure need to restrict their salt intake, people with low blood pressure may benefit by incorporating a little more salt in their diet,8217;8217; says Chandra. You could also try sleeping with several pillows below the head and wearing support stockings to stimulate circulation.

Exercising regularly and drinking lots of water are absolute musts. Along with a slightly higher salt intake, these should be enough to normalise BP if there are no worrying symptoms.