Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is a condition where your blood pressure is lower than what is considered normal for your age. Some people naturally have lower than average blood pressure, while others may have a medical condition or be taking a medication that causes hypotension.
A sudden drop in blood pressure (more than 30%) can be a medical emergency. When blood pressure drops too far, too quickly, blood stops circulating the way it should. This can lead to a life-threatening condition called shock.
Symptoms of a drop in blood pressure include:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Looking pale or blue
- Confusion
- Breathing quickly
A sudden drop in blood pressure is one of the most serious symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Source:
NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Volume 126, Issue 6, Supplement , Pages S1-S58, December 2010
Anaphylactic shock often involves a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness or loss of consciousness.
