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Is A Blood Pressure Reading Of 117/56 A Symptom Of Hypotension?

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Posted on Tue, 17 May 2016
Question: My blood pressure is 117/56. I believe 56 could be a symptom of hypotension. What does that mean.I am 72 and weigh 88kg
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it's not hypotension

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

hypotension is a term we use when the systolic blood pressure is low (lower than 90mmHg) but in your case it's the diastolic that's lower than usual. This is not a real problem. Sometimes a low diastolic blood pressure may make the blood flow to the coronary arteries more difficult than usual but this usually occurs when the blood pressure fells abruptly. A progressively lower diastolic blood pressure is also a normal step when the arteries get stiff due to aging. It's not a desirable one but there's nothing that can be done about it.

So, neither 135/70 nor 117/56 is an abnormal blood pressure reading. Both readings are OK and no symptoms can be justified.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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Is A Blood Pressure Reading Of 117/56 A Symptom Of Hypotension?

Brief Answer: it's not hypotension Detailed Answer: Hello, hypotension is a term we use when the systolic blood pressure is low (lower than 90mmHg) but in your case it's the diastolic that's lower than usual. This is not a real problem. Sometimes a low diastolic blood pressure may make the blood flow to the coronary arteries more difficult than usual but this usually occurs when the blood pressure fells abruptly. A progressively lower diastolic blood pressure is also a normal step when the arteries get stiff due to aging. It's not a desirable one but there's nothing that can be done about it. So, neither 135/70 nor 117/56 is an abnormal blood pressure reading. Both readings are OK and no symptoms can be justified. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!