Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Causes & Symptoms

OverviewWhat is low blood pressure?Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is when your blood pressure is much lower than expected. It can happen either as a condition on its own or as a symptom of a wide range of conditions. It may not cause symptoms. But when it does, you may need medical attention.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyTypes of low blood pressureHypotension has two definitions:Absolute hypotension: Your resting blood pressure is below 90/60 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).Orthostatic hypotension: Your blood pressure stays low for longer than three minutes after you stand up from a sitting position. (It’s normal for your blood pressure to drop briefly when you change positions, but not for that long.) The drop must be 20 mm Hg or more for your systolic (top) pressure and 10 mm Hg or more for your diastolic (bottom) pressure....