Isolated diastolic hypotension can be especially dangerous because it can decrease blood flow to your heart. You may be at higher risk if you have coronary artery disease. Over time, isolated diastolic hypotension can cause heart failure. In fact, it may be one of the most common causes of heart failure.

What does a low diastolic indicate?

If you have a low diastolic pressure, it means you have a low coronary artery pressure, and that means your heart is going to lack blood and oxygen. That is what we call ischemia, and that kind of chronic, low-level ischemia may weaken the heart over time and potentially lead to heart failure.

What is the lowest acceptable diastolic blood pressure?

A blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure.

Causes of low DBP include bed rest, dehydration, loss of water, alcohol use, hormone deficiencies, allergic reactions, nutritional deficiencies and prolonged standing leading to blood pooling in the legs. A decrease in your diastolic blood pressure (DBP) probably represents age-related stiffening of the arteries.