What Causes Low Blood Pressure In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Wed, 10 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 Answered on

Tue, 6 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, my dad is 88 and his blood pressure normally runs low. This morning it is 199/96 and I cannot wake him. What could that mean?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would recommend bringing your father to the ER as soon as possible.

He may have had a stroke.

It is necessary performing some tests, besides a careful physical exam:

- a resting ECG
- a brain CT scan
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests).

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

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