Experiencing a decrease in your blood pressure during or shortly after exercise can be a cause for medical concern. Your blood pressure, defined by the relationship between your systolic and diastolic pressure readings, helps regulate the efficiency of how your blood is pumped throughout your body. Any disruption or irregularity in your blood pressure can cause medical disorders or other concerns that can greatly impact your health. Speak to your cardiologist or physician for more information on how to gauge your blood pressure.
Definitions
Your systolic blood pressure is the blood pressure reading that corresponds with the maximum pressure in your arteries recorded at the end of your cardiac cycle when you heart ventricles contract. Your systolic reading is the top number in a blood pressure readout. Conversely, your diastolic blood pressure refers to the lowest pressure in your arteries during a heart contraction. This pressure corresponds to the lower number on a blood pressure readout. Normal blood pressure is 120/80, or "120 over 80."
Low Systolic Pressure
Systolic blood pressure that is lowered due to exercise can stem from a variety of causes. According to a study published in the May 1982 issue of the "American Journal of Cardiology," subjects who experience a drop in systolic pressure are likely to be males who have had a heart attack at some point in their lives and who have a history of chest pain or angina. In the study, subjects who experienced a drop in systolic pressure during exercise also experienced irregular heartbeats or complex repetitive ventricular arrhythmias as well.
Lower Diastolic Pressure
According to a 1999 study published in the "Journal of the American College of Cardiolog,y" subjects who experience a decrease in diastolic pressure during exercise in addition to an increase of systolic pressure are at greater mortality risk in comparison to subjects who show no symptoms. This drop in diastolic pressure further increases a subjects' risk of cardiovascular failure when experienced over an extended period.
Considerations
While a drop in blood pressure can be experienced at any time during your day, a sudden or prolonged drop in diastolic or systolic pressure during or after exercise can be a sign of further medical complications. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications geared towards helping you regulate your blood pressure over time. You should also halt exercise temporarily or until cleared by your doctor.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Low Blood Pressure
- "American Journal of Cardiology"; Decrease in Systolic Blood Pressure During Exercise Testing: Reproducibility, Response to Coronary Bypass Surgery and Prognostic Significance"; D.A. Weiner, et al.; May 1982
- "Journal of the American College of Cardiology"; A Decrease in Diastolic Blood Pressure Combined with an Increase in Systolic Blood Pressure is Associated with a Higher Cardiovascular Mortality in Men"; Athanase Benetos, MD, PhD, et al.; 1999
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