People are usually more concerned about the dangers associated with high blood pressure, but they should not ignore the potential health risks associated with low blood pressure. If left untreated, health issues might arise when the brain, the heart, and other vital organs are deprived of adequate blood supply due to low blood pressure, a condition also known as hypotension.
For optimal health, the blood pressure should be around 120/80 (systolic/diastolic), but pressure can drop below optimal levels due to several factors. For example, hypotension happens when the blood pressure falls below 90/60.
Low blood pressure can also be a sign of more serious medical issues, especially among the elderly. This is why it is best to keep a sphygmomanometer, also known as a blood pressure monitor or blood pressure gauge, at home to easily monitor the blood pressure even without going to a hospital or clinic. In the absence of such equipment, these low blood pressure symptoms can help detect hypotension episodes.
Blurred or Fading Vision
Blurring or fading vision is one of the most common low blood pressure symptoms. This occurs when the brain’s oxygenated blood supply is insufficient due to low blood pressure. As a result, the brain’s processing of visual stimuli is affected, leading to blurred or fading vision.
Of course, experiencing blurred vision does not automatically mean that the blood pressure has dropped below normal, as several factors can also cause the vision issue. These include astigmatism (when the eye’s surface isn’t curved properly), presbyopia (when it is difficult for the eyes to focus as people age), dry eye syndrome, cataracts, glaucoma, damage to the cornea, and age-related macular degeneration. In addition, blurry vision can also be a symptom of other non-eye related medical conditions such as diabetes, migraine, stroke, head injury, low blood sugar, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, and Parkinson’s disease. So, it’s essential to rule out these possibilities when instances of fading vision become too frequent.
Experts suggest that medical help be immediately sought if blurry vision is accompanied by dizziness, weakness or numbness in one arm, a drooping face, loss of balance, and slurred speech, which could indicate a stroke. While experiencing blurred vision is one of the more common symptoms of low blood pressure, it is essential to rule out other causes that might suggest a more serious medical issue.
