AboutDomenic Sica Expertise All aspects of hypertension as well as any consideration in drug therapy for the management
of hypertension.
Experience Heavily published in the area of drug therapy in hypertension and renal disease. Primary management physician for a large multi-state referral practice for diagnosis and management of complex hypertension
Organizations Multiple including the American Society of Hypertension, International Society of Hypertension, American Society of Nephrology, American Heart Association, American College of Clinical Pharmacology amongst others.
Publications Over 250 publications (see PubMed)
Education/Credentials Board certified in internal medicine, nephrology, clinical pharmacology, and hypertension
Awards and Honors Multiple awards as clinical and/or teacher of the year.
Question Hello! Thank you in advance for your answer. I had a blood pressure question, though it is having to do with low blood pressure instead of hypertension. I hope this is alright, as you seemed very appropriate and I imagine you would know the answer. I am 25, 6'5" and 200lbs. I recently found a sphygmomanometer and have been keeping track of my blood pressure daily. I have found that is is consistently around 85/55. I would like to know if this low reading is unhealthy in the long run, or something I should not worry about. I am rarely fatigued, though occasionally I am dizzy when standing up, but I have never blacked out. Sometimes, at any hour, I will have a seemingly insatiable craving for sugar, even if I have recently eaten, for a few minutes which is similar to some people I know who have low blood sugar, if this has anything to do with it. I know that I have always had an irregular heartbeat as well.
Please let me know what you think, any input would be greatly valued. Thank you again!
---
Tim
Answer This is a very low blood pressure for a person your size; however, it can be in a normal range for you. I think a good history and physical examination by your physician is in order. In such an exam it would be useful to determine if the blood pressure is low in both arms, whether there is a specific heart rate abnormality, and if your blood pressure falls excessively in going from the lying to the standing position. The sugar craving is not likely to have any relationship to your blood pressure.
