Hypotension refers to which of the following?

• A. High blood pressure
• B. Normal blood pressure
• C. Low blood pressure
• D. No blood pressure change

Answer: (C)

Hypotension is when blood pressure is lower than normal. In adults, it’s commonly defined as a systolic pressure around 90 mmHg or lower or a diastolic pressure around 60 mmHg or lower. When pressure is this low, organs may not receive enough blood flow, especially during activity, which can lead to symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting and, in severe cases, shock. This distinguishes it from normal blood pressure and from high blood pressure, which is hypertension. The idea isn’t that blood pressure never changes—it's that the readings are persistently below the normal range. Other causes of low pressure can include dehydration, blood loss, heart problems, or certain medications, which helps explain why hypotension is clinically important to recognize.