How low for BP before need to call doctor

[mvm2]

Hi all. I am not a nurse, but I have a quick question about BP.

We were at my in laws having dinner, and my mother in law was not doing well. She has diabetes, and her blood sugar was over 200 this morning and she did not take her insulin. (which we did not know untill much later) So by the time she took her sugar levels again they were over 300. We had her imediately take her insulin, and within an hour her levels were back down in the 200s. The other concerning thing was that her BP was quite low (for her). I had learned how to take a BP, and I took it a few times while we were there and it seemed to average around 90/50-54. A few times her high number was even as low as 85. My father in law is going to keep an eye on her, but i am going to be checking on her again later this evening, and I was wondering from you nurses what is a dangerous BP where I would need to call the doctor ASAP.

[alovelymother]

I don't think you will get medical advice in this forum. But most PCPs have an after hours call number.

[mvm2]

thank you. Never thought about it that i was asking for medical advise, but your right I guess this does fall into that catigory. Thanks

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Correct - we can't provide medical advice. BP normals range widely depending on the pt, the disease process and many other factors. For us to "guess" might put your relative in harms way.

Please contact her primary care provider.