The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, and is given as 2 figures. Systolic pressure, which is the pressure when your heart pushes blood out, and Diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when your heart rests between beats. Normal systolic blood pressure is below or equal to 120 mmHg, and normal diastolic blood pressure is below 80 mmHg. So, normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 mmHg.
Hypotension, or low blood pressure is a decrease in systemic blood pressure below accepted low values. While there is not an accepted standard hypotensive value, pressures less than 90 over 60 are recognized as hypotensive.
Some common causes for low blood pressure include the following.
Prolonged bed rest.
Pregnancy, especially during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Decreases in blood volume. A decrease in blood volume can also cause blood pressure to drop. A significant loss of blood from major trauma, dehydration or severe internal bleeding reduces blood volume, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure.
Certain medications, including diuretics and other drugs that treat hypertension, heart medications such as beta blockers, drugs for Parkinson’s disease, tricyclic antidepressants, erectile dysfunction drugs, particularly in combination with nitroglycerine, and narcotics and alcohol.
Heart problems, such as heart valves defects, heart attack and heart failure.
Endocrine problems, including hypothyroidism, parathyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, low blood sugar and, in some cases, diabetes.
Another cause for low blood pressure is severe infections, that leads to septic shock. Septic shock can occur when bacteria leave the original site of an infection, most often in the lungs, abdomen or urinary tract, and enter the bloodstream. The bacteria then produce toxins that affect blood vessels, leading to a life-threatening decline in blood pressure.
Anaphylaxis is another cause. Anaphylactic shock is a sometimes-fatal allergic reaction that can occur in people who are highly sensitive to drugs such as penicillin, to certain foods such as peanuts or to bee or wasp stings. This type of shock is characterized by breathing problems, hives, itching, a swollen throat and a sudden, dramatic fall in blood pressure.
Another type of low blood pressure is neurally mediated hypotension. This disorder causes blood pressure to drop after standing for long periods, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fainting. This condition primarily affects young people and occurs because of a miscommunication between the heart and the brain.
Finally, nutritional deficiencies also can cause low blood pressure. A lack of the essential vitamins B-12 and folic acid can cause anemia, which in turn can lead to low blood pressure.

Most of the time, low blood pressure is asymptomatic.
Some common signs and symptoms of low blood pressure include the following.
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Nausea.
Fainting, also known as syncope.
Dehydration and unusual thirst.
It is important to note that dehydration can sometimes cause blood pressure to drop. However, dehydration does not always cause low blood pressure. Fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, overuse of diuretics and strenuous exercise can all lead to dehydration, a potentially serious condition in which your body loses more water than you take in. Blurred vision.
Cold, clammy, pale skin.
Rapid, shallow breathing.
Fatigue.
And Depression.

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