What You Should Know About Low Blood Pressure

 What is hypotension, or low blood pressure?

With each beating, your blood presses against your arteries. Blood pressure is the amount of force that your blood exerts against the walls of your arteries.

Your regular actions, such as sleeping and moving around, cause changes in blood pressure. Hypotension is the medical word for low blood pressure.

When your heart beats and during the pauses in between heartbeats are the two times that blood pressure is measured.

Systolic pressure, often known as systole, is a measurement of how much blood your heart pumps through your arteries each time it contracts (or systole). Your body receives blood from your systole.

The measurement for the times when you are at rest is called diastolic pressure (or diastole). Diastole fills the coronary arteries, supplying your heart with blood.

The two numbers that make up your blood pressure reading are the systolic and diastolic values. In most situations, having a lower blood pressure (less than 120/80) is a desirable thing.

But occasionally feeling fatigued or lightheaded can be a result of low blood pressure. Hypotension may indicate a condition that has to be treated in those situations. Adults with hypotension have a blood pressure value of less than

hypotension types

Different kinds of hypotension exist. Low blood pressure is divided into categories based on when and what is causing it.

Orthostatic

When you get up from laying down or sitting, your blood pressure drops, which is referred to as orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension.

You can experience lightheadedness or vertigo while your body adjusts to the change in position. This is what some individuals mean when they say that they wake up "seeing stars."

Low blood pressure caused by orthostatic hypotension is the most typical type. All ages can be affected, however older persons are more likely to experience it than younger people. A general decrease in blood pressure can also be brought on by aging and pregnancy.

Orthostatic hypotension is frequently caused by illnesses that impair the autonomic nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes. About 30 percent of those with diabetes and 30 to 50 percent of Parkinson's disease patients experience this type of low blood pressure.

Postprandial

An after-meal decline in blood pressure is known as postprandial hypotension. Low blood pressure after eating is more frequent in older adults and those with autonomic dysfunction, according to a 2010 research.

positively mediated

Your nervous system must strike a balance with other physiological systems to maintain blood pressure (like your hormones and organs). When there is an aberrant reflex contact between the heart and the brain, it results in naturally mediated hypotension.

Neural factors that contribute to hypotension include:

spending a lot of time stationary. This type of hypotension affects kids more frequently than it does adults.

experiencing a strong emotional reaction, such as shock or fear. Due to this, some patients' blood pressure drops during medical or dental operations.

Severe

Shock can cause a dramatic reduction in blood pressure. If you sustain a significant injury or infection, shock may occur.

Your organs do not receive the blood and oxygen they require to operate normally when you are in shock. If severe hypotension is not treated right away, it can be fatal.

many kinds

A adverse effect of several drugs might be persistently low blood pressure. For instance, drugs used to treat excessive blood pressure may result in hypotension.

The overall blood pressure can also be lowered by illnesses that affect the heart, nerves, liver, or hormone systems. deficits in vitamins Blood pressure reduction is another benefit of Trusted Source.

Why does hypotension occur?

Everybody experiences blood pressure decreases occasionally. You may occasionally experience lower-than-normal blood pressure due to your body's natural control of blood flow.

Some people consistently have low blood pressure with no symptoms. This kind of hypotension has an enigmatic cause.

What causes blood pressure to decrease suddenly?

Following some circumstances, blood pressure may drop suddenly. These consist of:

lifting oneself fast

eating while suddenly fearful or going through an unexpected incident

circumstances that may result in low blood pressure

Long episodes of hypotension can be brought on by specific disorders, and if they go untreated, they can become hazardous. These circumstances include:

dehydration, for instance if you're vomiting and unable to keep liquids down, or have severe diarrhea. pregnancy, due to an increase in demand for blood from both the pregnant person and the growing fetus. impaired circulation caused by a heart attack or heart condition.

What causes blood pressure to decrease suddenly?

Following some circumstances, blood pressure may drop suddenly. These consist of:

lifting oneself fast

eating while suddenly fearful or going through an unexpected incident

circumstances that may result in low blood pressure

Long episodes of hypotension can be brought on by specific disorders, and if they go untreated, they can become hazardous. These circumstances include:

dehydration, for instance if you're vomiting and unable to keep liquids down, or have severe diarrhea. pregnancy, due to an increase in demand for blood from both the pregnant person and the growing fetus. poor circulation caused by a heart attack or heart problem.

Diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, and thyroid disease are endocrine illnesses.

injury to the nerves that regulate some body functions, or autonomic dysfunction

lengthy rest in bed

shock, a dangerous condition wherein your body's key organs lack oxygen

Large volumes of blood loss as a result of injury or blood infections, such as anaphylactic shock

prescription drugs that may lower blood pressure

Additionally, medications may lower your blood pressure too much.

This effect can be caused by beta-blockers and nitroglycerin, two drugs used to treat heart problems.

Hypotension can also be brought on by diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, and medications for erectile dysfunction.

Your doctor may modify the drug if it causes your blood pressure to drop too low while you're taking it, or they may change the dosage. Usually, this helps the hypotension.

symptoms of hypotension

Not all cases of hypotension result in symptoms. However, low blood pressure can occasionally indicate that your important organs aren't getting the necessary amount of blood flow. If this occurs, you can experience fatigue or sickness. Hypotension symptoms include:

nauseous, experiencing discomfort in your stomach, and wanting to vomit

When your skin is cold and clammy, it may be damp or perspired.

depression, persistently sad or depressed feelings that interfere with daily activities

When your eyesight is blurry or fuzzy, you may experience loss of consciousness, also referred to as fainting or syncope.

Taking care of hypotension

Depending on what is causing your hypotension, your treatment strategy will vary. Your doctor will take into account various things, such as:

types of hypotension You're going through the circumstances that could be making you have hypotension.

Some people may not experience any symptoms of low blood pressure. Your doctor may suggest a combination of medical care, lifestyle changes, or both when treatment is necessary.

dizziness, feeling off-balance when getting up from a seated or reclining position, or while you're standing exhaustion, an all-over sense of tiredness or lacking energy

alterations in way of life

You may be able to improve your low blood pressure by modifying some of your habits. Since everyone's causes of hypotension are unique, your care plan most likely won't include all of these adjustments.

Your doctor may advise you, depending on the particulars of your case:

Keep hydrated

A lot of water should be consumed to prevent hypotension brought on by dehydration, especially if you are throwing up or have diarrhea. When exercising and when you're somewhere hot, stay well hydrated.

In some circumstances, your doctor might advise consuming more electrolytes to support maintaining a higher blood pressure.

Find out what makes you emotional or stressed out.

Keep a record of the instances when you felt incredibly frightened or emotional just before your blood pressure dropped. To prevent certain circumstances, you might be able to plan ahead. Or, you might prepare for assistance in case you feel queasy or ill.

You might think about informing the doctor or dentist if your blood pressure is typically low when you visit them.

shimmy around

Try flexing your leg muscles and moving in place if you suffer low blood pressure after prolonged standing. Consider taking a pause to sit down if you can.

Be cautious when standing up

Shift positions gradually and carefully. Move slowly into a sitting or standing position as opposed to standing up immediately. Your blood pressure may stay high if you breathe deeply and slowly.

Modify your dietary patterns

Your doctor could advise eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, or trying new foods, if you experience low blood pressure after eating. Avoid abruptly getting up after eating.

You can manage low blood pressure in a variety of ways every day. Depending on your needs, your doctor could prescribe different lifestyle changes.

medical attention

Treatment for some types of hypotension could be necessary. Low blood pressure medication options include:

medication to treat an underlying illness. You might be prescribed medicine to treat the underlying issue that is causing your low blood pressure as part of your treatment. For ailments including heart disease, diabetes, or infections, your doctor might suggest medicine.

a drug that increases blood pressure Your doctor may occasionally recommend using a daily prescription to raise extremely low blood pressure. When various treatments have failed to control severe orthostatic hypotension, this is more likely to occur.

shock is treated urgently. The most dangerous type of low blood pressure is shock-induced. Blood pressure that is dangerously low needs to be treated right away. Emergency workers may administer fluids and other therapies to elevate and stabilize your blood pressure.

Complications

Hypotension can be treated quickly and isn't usually a symptom of a more serious health issue. However, some persons with low blood pressure need to be treated in order to avoid any potential consequences. Following are a few hypotension side effects:

Falls and associated harm

You can have sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or even lose consciousness due to a drop in blood pressure (faint). These signs may appear suddenly, resulting in falls or other accidents.

For elderly people, falls are a major reason for hospitalization. After standing up or eating, older persons are more prone to have hypotension. You can manage the effects of hypotension with treatment and lifestyle modifications.

Shock

Because they aren't getting enough blood to function properly, your vital organs may begin to malfunction if your blood pressure drops dangerously low. You might feel shocked as a result of this. Shock symptoms consist of:

cold, clammy skin

rapid breathing and an erratic or fast heartbeat

Medical emergencies include shock. Call the emergency services in your area or 911 if you believe you or someone else is experiencing shock.

Outlook

By comprehending the condition and its symptoms, many people can manage low blood pressure. If you have triggers, become aware of them and learn how to manage them.

Your physician might advise making lifestyle changes or receiving medical care if low blood pressure is making you feel poorly. Take any recommended medicine as directed in order to raise your blood pressure and prevent any possibly dangerous side effects.

If you have any symptoms or are worried about your blood pressure levels, it is always preferable to let your doctor know.