What should someone with hypertension do if their blood pressure suddenly becomes too low? -

My elderly aunt s blood pressure has become significantly lower than before---it is now 75/66. Should we be concerned? What can be done to increase her blood pressure to a much healthier level?

A person with untreated hypertension becomes accommodated to higher perfusion pressures. A sudden drop in pressure would be very harmful to the brain and kidneys. A sudden drop in blood pressure would be evident by sudden overall weakness, dizziness, fainting, or even seizures. The body is trying to tell you to lay down....so the brain gets more blood. Placing someone supine and even lifting their legs (trendelenburg position) would divert blood from non-critical organs. Your aunt was likely treated for hypertension, and was on either betablockers, calcium channel blockers, or ACE inhibitors. Changing the routine in taking these medications could raise out of her therapeutic window (called minimum effective concentration). If she s not eating normally, drinking normally, or taking her medications at more frequent/unusual times, she could become hypotensive. If her pressure is still 75/66, her Mean arterial pressure is around the high 60 s, which would be too low for someone with chronic hypertension. Since it s the weekend, take her into the emergency room, along with all of her medications. Good luck.

That is extremely low. Hypotension to that degree usually is merely a symptom of another issue. What does her doctor say? Unfortunately the things that raise blood pressure are all unhealthy (salt, stress, smoking, etc.)

Is she taking medication for her blood pressure? If she is, it may be time for her to have her doctor take a look at her medication level and also other medications she may be taking that may interact.