HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Low Blood Pressure?

default
Posted on Tue, 21 Jun 2016
Question: Why is my blood pressure reading lower on the second test ,five minutes later?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
There are so many factors that affect the blood pressure

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.

Blood pressure may vary in any time of the day and, it is certainly the most vulnerable parameter of the organism to a lot of physiological or pathological phenomena that happen during a day. Variation in up to 10-20 mmHg from one reading to the other, may happen even in two consecutive readings. Now, you should be aware that physical activity, psychological stress or a stressful event or news, caffeine-based beverages, hormonal changes during a day, may all lead to spikes of high figures of blood pressure, which can return to normal even after a short time, depending on the "culprit" factor that causes the spikes, in the first place. Also, adding the age of 81 years old may have an impact on these sudden changes. I am understanding that, since you are on five blood pressure-lowering pills, then you must have a long time suffering from hypertension. It is not important if the figures change within short time and within few mmHg-s, rather then it is crucial that blood pressure figures should be kept under 140/90 mmHg during resting state. My recommendation for you, at this point, is that there is nothing to be worried about. I would just suggest you to keep a diary of the blood pressure figures, and measure it 6-8 times a day, in various times in a day, and, of course, after you have been 15 minutes on resting state and/or without the above mentioned factors that may have significant, yet physiological, impact on this parameter.

I hope my answer is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.

Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (37 minutes later)
My B P is high early mornings upon rising, starts to go down after med's, is ok until 5 pm then starts to go up. I take night pills around 8 pm. What do you think
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Maybe a little adjustment to the therapy strategy

Detailed Answer:
Hi again and welcome back!

It is all within the physiological "play" of all the factors I mentioned to you. Anyway, I think that you should talk to your doctor, and take at least one of the drugs in your therapy during lunchtime, so there can be a better span and coverage of the treatment, so the five o'clock episodes do not happen any more.

I hope this additional information is helpful. Kindly, if you do not have further questions, close the discussion and rate the answer.

Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 775 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Low Blood Pressure?

Brief Answer: There are so many factors that affect the blood pressure Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question. Blood pressure may vary in any time of the day and, it is certainly the most vulnerable parameter of the organism to a lot of physiological or pathological phenomena that happen during a day. Variation in up to 10-20 mmHg from one reading to the other, may happen even in two consecutive readings. Now, you should be aware that physical activity, psychological stress or a stressful event or news, caffeine-based beverages, hormonal changes during a day, may all lead to spikes of high figures of blood pressure, which can return to normal even after a short time, depending on the "culprit" factor that causes the spikes, in the first place. Also, adding the age of 81 years old may have an impact on these sudden changes. I am understanding that, since you are on five blood pressure-lowering pills, then you must have a long time suffering from hypertension. It is not important if the figures change within short time and within few mmHg-s, rather then it is crucial that blood pressure figures should be kept under 140/90 mmHg during resting state. My recommendation for you, at this point, is that there is nothing to be worried about. I would just suggest you to keep a diary of the blood pressure figures, and measure it 6-8 times a day, in various times in a day, and, of course, after you have been 15 minutes on resting state and/or without the above mentioned factors that may have significant, yet physiological, impact on this parameter. I hope my answer is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Kind regards, Dr. Meriton