Recently went back to the VA clinic for an ear infection.  The nurse took my BP as always. This time afterwards she took a half step back and looked at me as if assessing my health. Then she said 89/seventy something in a half question half statement kinda way.  I didn't really hear the second number completly . I was too shocked by the first one.

She did say I was right at the border of needing a smaller BP wrap for my arm and they didn't have those there. I guess they don't treat many children at the VA. She took it again and it was 90/ seventy something.  She said most people would be on the floor with that low of a BP. But also said some people function that way.

Wondered if any other folks on LR experienced low BP numbers. Funny thing is, I told her before she took it it may be a little high as I've been eathing salty foods lately.

I typically have low blood pressure and pulse rate. Once, a number of years ago, I was going in for some out-patient surgery and the nurse took my pulse and blood pressure as a requirement to be able to put me under, and my pulse was so low (4 that she said she couldn't record it. I should move around or think of an angry thought and she'd try again. I did, she did, and it came up 55 bpm, which apparently is A-OK. The surgery went fine.

Things that measure them are often off, particularly machines. I would say to the point that machines are worthless and only a scope and blow up thing are even going to be remotely safe to use as a measure.

My father when at a machine reads blood pressure so high he should pass out if he stands up or moves fast.

The doctors measure and ask him if he runs a lot and he says no (he watched TV though).

Did she readjust the cuff and/or take it on the other arm?

Numbers are kinda close together.. 89 is close enough to 90 to call it 90 and 70 (diastolic) something seems high for a systolic of 89--90..

I always take it twice if I get something funky.. and getting a smaller cuff might have given a very different result.

I've always had low blood pressure, but I've always been told my numbers were good.  I haven't gone to the red cross to donate platelets in a while, so I can't remember what my "exact" numbers are either.

If the cuff does not fit the numbers do not mean anything.  You should get your bp measured with the proper sized cuff and pass the reading on to them at the VA.  I have mine measured monthly in my GP's office - obesity/bp/edema issues. I cannot get my arm into the standard 13 inch cuff on the pharmacy machines.  Too much flab.

It's best to analyze the change between the current reading and the last reading.  If it was always low I wouldn't be concerned.