Can low blood pressure make you tired and sleepy

Fatigue, blurred vision, and lightheadedness are just some of the common symptoms of low blood pressure, aka hypotension. It usually occurs when your blood pressure reading is lower than the healthy range of 90/60 to 120/80 mm Hg. However, what's considered low for one person might be normal for another. 

"Low blood pressure is really relative to what a person's blood pressure normally is. There are some patients whose blood pressure is normally 90/60, and they do not have any symptoms, so this would not be deemed low blood pressure for them," says Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD, director of clinical cardiology at Yale Medicine and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Yale School of Medicine.

Blood pressure normally fluctuates throughout the day depending on stress levels and dietary choices, but conditions like pregnancy, dehydration, and blood loss can cause blood pressure to become lower than usual.

Learn about the symptoms and causes of low blood pressure, and know when you should seek medical attention.

Symptoms of low blood pressure

  • Lack of concentration
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue

Severe hypotension, or having dangerously low blood pressure levels, can cause the body to go into shock where the brain and organs can't function properly. It can manifest additional symptoms, such as:

Symptoms of severe low blood pressure (hypotension): 

  • Shallow breathing
  • Weak and rapid pulse
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Confusion
  • Pale/whitish  skin tone

Important: If your body is going into shock, you should call 911 for immediate medical attention.

What causes low blood pressure? 

Symptoms of low blood pressure are driven by poor blood flow, says Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, chief of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and associate director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

"Patients generally don't feel well when their pressure is low, and usually need to sit or lay down in order to feel better," says Oen-Hsiao.

Causes of low blood pressure

  • Pregnancy
  • Extreme changes in body temperature, like hypothermia or excessive heat
  • Allergic reactions
  • Extreme blood loss from a major injury or internal bleeding
  • Dehydration
  • Severe infection or septic shock, which occurs when bacteria enters the bloodstream
  • Certain medications that are used for erectile dysfunction, Parkinson's disease, or depression
  • Untreated eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder
  • Diabetes
  • Heart problems, like heart attack and heart failure

According to Oen-Hsiao, your blood pressure may drop if you haven't eaten or are dehydrated, or you accidentally took your medication twice. Low blood pressure may also be a symptom of underlying medical conditions such as anemia, so your health provider may perform blood tests to check.

In general, "patients [who are] most likely to experience low blood pressure are older patients over 65 years, patients who have nervous system issues — like diabetic peripheral neuropathy or Parkinson's — and some patients who get hemodialysis [a treatment where a machine removes waste from the blood]," says Oen-Hsiao.

What is the lowest blood pressure that is safe?

Low blood pressure on its own is not life-threatening. So, if you have a blood pressure reading that's lower than normal, but you feel alright, then you don't need to worry. 

"The lowest blood pressure that is considered 'safe' is a blood pressure where the patient doesn't have symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, and almost passing out," says Oen-Hsiao.

How to treat low blood pressure symptoms:

  • Drink water
  • Sit or lay down 
  • Wear compression stockings
  •  Increase your sodium intake

Insider's takeaway

Low blood pressure or hypotension is generally characterized by a reading below 90/60 mm Hg. You should keep track of what your normal blood pressure is so you can recognize when it dips. Blurred vision, lightheadedness, and nausea are common symptoms, but clammy skin and persistent symptoms that don't improve may warrant a trip to the emergency room.

Blood pressure normally changes throughout the day, but blood loss, dehydration, and certain health problems can result in low blood pressure. If you're having negative symptoms of low blood pressure, you can raise your blood pressure back to normal by drinking more water, increasing your sodium intake, or treating the underlying medical condition that caused low blood pressure in the first place.

"The best way to treat low blood pressure is to make sure that you sit or lay down. This helps to get as much blood up to the brain as possible," says Oen-Hsiao. "If your symptoms do not go away in an hour after resting and drinking water, call your doctor."

Carla Delgado

Freelance Reporter, Insider Reviews

Carla is a Filipino freelance health & culture journalist with bylines in Insider, Architectural Digest, Elemental, Observer, and Mental Floss. Outside of writing, she works for local theatre productions as a stage manager and assistant sound operator.

What are the 10 signs of low blood pressure?

Symptoms of low blood pressure.
lightheadedness or dizziness..
feeling sick..
blurred vision..
generally feeling weak..
confusion..
fainting..

How does low blood pressure make you feel?

Low blood pressure (hypotension) symptoms may include: Blurred or fading vision. Dizziness or lightheadedness. Fainting.

Can low blood pressure cause fatigue and weakness?

One concern that is often not discussed with hypotension is the decrease in blood flow to the brain. Fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, decreased concentration and brain fatigue are symptoms that reflect the brain is simply not getting enough blood flow.

What should we do when BP is low?

Lifestyle and home remedies.
Drink more water, less alcohol. Alcohol is dehydrating and can lower blood pressure, even if drinking in moderation. ... .
Pay attention to body positions. Gently move from lying flat or squatting to a standing position. ... .
Eat small, low-carb meals. ... .
Exercise regularly..