Word parts
What it means
Low blood pressureBLUD PRESH-erThe force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, written as systolic over diastolic in mm Hg.Full entry . Some healthy people always run low and feel fine. When it comes on with illness, from bleeding, dehydrationdee-hy-DRAY-shunA state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.de- remove, lack ofhydr/o water-ation processFull entry , sepsisSEP-sisA severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.Full entry , heart problems, an allergic reaction or some drugs, the organs may not get enough blood, and the client feels dizzy, weak, faint or confused. When the systolic pressure falls by 20 mm Hg or more, or the diastolic by 10 mm Hg or more, within three minutes of standing up, it is called orthostatic hypotension.
For the nurse
Compare with the client's usual readings and check heart rate, urine output, skin and mental status. Help a dizzy client lie down and raise the legs unless this is not allowed, and teach clients at risk to get up slowly. Check blood pressure before giving drugs that lower it, and report a new low reading.
In a chart
"BP 84/50 on standing, 118/72 lying; client reports lightheadedness."
Remember it
Hypo is low: low pressure, low energy, lie down.
At a glance
| Everyday words | low blood pressure |
|---|---|
| Spanish | hipotensión |
| Also written | hypotensive, low blood pressure |
Easy to confuse with
hypertension
Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.
Related terms
hypertension
Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.
blood pressure
The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, written as systolic over diastolic in mm Hg.
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
perfusion
The flow of blood through the body's tissues, bringing them oxygen and nutrients.
dizziness
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady or off balance, or that the room is spinning.