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(January 2009)| |Classification and external resources|
|ICD-9||458or more commonly used 796.3| In physiology and
medicine, hypotension is low blood pressure, especially in the
arteries of the systemic circulation. Blood pressure is the
force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the
heart pumps out blood. Hypotension is generally considered to be
systolic blood pressure less than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm
Hg) or diastolic less than 60 mm Hg. However in practice, blood
pressure is considered too low only if noticeable symptoms are
present. Hypotension is the opposite of hypertension, which is
high blood pressure. It is best understood as a physiological
state, rather than a disease. It is often associated with shock,
though not necessarily indicative of it. For some people who
exercise and are in top physical condition, low blood pressure
is a sign of good health and fitness. For many people, low blood
pressure can cause dizziness