Sometimes, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. The causes of low blood pressure include dehydration and other serious medical conditions. It's important to find out what's causing low blood pressure so that it can be treated, if needed.

Understanding the Context

Types Types of low blood pressure include: Orthostatic hypotension, also called postural hypotension. Here's a look at the four blood pressure categories and what they mean for you. If your top and bottom numbers fall into two different categories, your correct blood pressure category is the higher category. For example, if your blood pressure reading is 125/85 mm Hg, you have stage 1 hypertension.

Key Insights

High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. It's also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood. Blood pressure is measured in ...

Final Thoughts

Exercise also can help keep blood pressure that's slightly higher than ideal, called elevated blood pressure, from turning into high blood pressure. High blood also is called hypertension. For those who have hypertension, regular physical activity can bring blood pressure down to safer levels. High blood pressure is called hypertension. The risk of hypertension goes up as you get older. But getting some exercise may lower the risk.

If your blood pressure is already high, exercise can help you control it. You don't need to immediately run a marathon or join a gym. Instead, start slow. Work more physical activity into your daily routine.