What Is Hypotension?
Low blood pressure may appear desirable, and it may not create any difficulties for some people, however, unusually low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness and fainting in many people. In extreme cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. Low blood pressure is defined as a measurement of fewer than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic). Low blood pressure can be a result of a variety of factors, ranging from dehydration to significant medical conditions. It’s critical to determine the source of your low blood pressure so that it can be treated.
Types of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can be an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) disease. The following are the most common types of hypotension:
Orthostatic Hypotension
When you rise from a sitting or lying down position, your blood pressure drops suddenly. When you stand, gravity causes blood to collect in your legs. Your body normally adjusts by raising your heart rate and narrowing blood arteries, ensuring that adequate blood reaches your brain. This balancing process fails in persons with orthostatic hypotension, and blood pressure drops, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, and even fainting. Dehydration, prolonged bed rest, pregnancy, diabetes, heart issues, burns, severe heat, massive varicose veins, and some neurological disorders can all cause orthostatic hypotension.
Diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure, as well as antidepressants and pharmaceuticals used to treat Parkinson’s disease and erectile dysfunction, can all cause orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension affects young, otherwise healthy persons who quickly rise after sitting with their legs crossed for lengthy periods of time or after crouching for a period of time.
Postprandial Hypotension
This decline in blood pressure happens one to two hours after eating and typically affects older people. After you eat, blood travels to your digestive tract. To assist maintain normal blood pressure, your body normally boosts your heart rate and constricts particular blood arteries. These systems, however, fail in some persons, resulting in dizziness, faintness, and falls.
People with high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system diseases like Parkinson’s disease are more likely to experience postprandial hypotension.
Neurally Mediated Hypotension
Young adults and children are mainly affected by this disorder, which causes a dip in blood pressure after prolonged standing. It appears to be caused by a miscommunication between the heart and the brain.
Shock-Related Hypotension
Nervous system injury causes low blood pressure (multiple system atrophy with orthostatic hypotension). This rare ailment, also known as Shy-Drager syndrome, exhibits several symptoms that are similar to Parkinson’s disease. The autonomic nerve system, which regulates involuntary functions including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and digestion, is gradually damaged. It’s linked to having extremely high blood pressure when you’re lying down.
Who Does Low Blood Pressure Affect?
Low blood pressure can affect people of all ages, but it is more frequent among fragile or bedridden older people. Orthostatic hypotension is more common in pregnant women and the elderly.
People who are prone to hypotension include those who:
- Use some medications that induce low blood pressure
- Are suffering from hormone imbalances or vitamin deficiencies
- Are suffering from heart or liver issues
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure is usually a symptom of some medical problems. Hypotension can be a result of a number of factors which include:
Pregnancy
Blood pressure is likely to decline during pregnancy due to the fast expansion of the circulatory system. This is normal, and once you’ve given birth, your blood pressure should recover to its pre-pregnancy level.
Problems with the Heart
Extremely low heart rate (bradycardia), heart valve abnormalities, heart attack, and heart failure are all disorders that can cause low blood pressure.
Dehydration
Weakness, dizziness, and exhaustion can occur when your body loses more water than it takes in. Dehydration can be a result of a fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, abuse of diuretics, and excessive activity.
Blood Loss
When a large volume of blood is lost, such as from a major injury or internal bleeding, the amount of blood in your body is reduced, resulting in a significant drop in blood pressure.
Severe Infection (Septicemia)
When an infection in the body reaches the bloodstream, it can cause septic shock, which is a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure.
Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
Foods, some drugs, insect venoms, and latex are all common triggers for this severe and potentially fatal reaction. Breathing difficulties, hives, itching, a swollen throat, and a severe drop in blood pressure are all symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Nutrient Deficiency in your Diet
Low blood pressure can be associated with the loss of vitamin B-12, folate, or iron, which prevents your body from generating enough red blood cells (anemia).
Endocrine Issues
Low blood pressure can be caused by thyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and, in some situations, diabetes.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure symptoms might appear suddenly or gradually worsen over time. They are as follows:
- Nausea
- Blur vision
- Fatigue
- Skin that is both chilly and perspiring
- Breathing that is quick and shallow
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting
Treatment Options for Low Blood Pressure
The treatment for low blood pressure is determined by the cause of the problem. In order to alleviate symptoms, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following, depending on a variety of factors such as your age and the type of hypotension you have: dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and/or medications.
Dietary Changes
- Drink a lot of water: Fluids help to increase blood volume and avoid dehydration, which are both crucial in the treatment of hypotension.
- Drink more water and less booze: Even if you drink in moderation, alcohol dehydrates you and lowers your blood pressure. Water, on the other hand, helps to prevent dehydration by increasing blood volume.
- Small, low-carb meals are best: Eat modest portions several times a day to help avoid blood pressure from lowering abruptly after meals, and minimize high-carbohydrate items like potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread.
- Add additional salt to the mix: Since sodium can significantly raise blood pressure, experts normally advise minimizing salt in your diet. That can be beneficial for persons with low blood pressure. However, because too much sodium can cause heart failure, especially in the elderly, it’s crucial to consult your doctor before adding more salt to your diet.
Lifestyle Changes for Low Blood Pressure
You may be able to decrease or prevent symptoms through some lifestyle changes, depending on the cause of your low blood pressure.
Wear Compression Stockings
Elastic stockings, which are often used to ease the pain and swelling of varicose veins, can also aid in reducing blood pooling in the legs. Certain people can tolerate elastic abdominal binds.
Exercise Regularly
Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of heart-rate-raising exercise every day, including strength training two or three times per week. Exercising in hot, humid weather is not recommended.
Pay Attention to how you’re Holding yourself
Gradually raise yourself from a prone or crouching position to a standing position. Sitting with your legs crossed is not a good idea. If you start to feel symptoms while standing, cross your thighs in a scissors pattern and squeeze, or lean as far forward as you can on a ledge or chair. These exercises help to circulate blood from your legs to your heart.
Now that you Know…
Low blood pressure that is monitored seldom causes major or long-term health consequences, especially when doctors can treat the underlying illness. Many people learn to control their blood pressure by making dietary and lifestyle adjustments. If you have dizziness or fainting on a regular basis, or if you have other symptoms of low blood pressure, you should see your doctor. Blood pressure drops can be harmful if they occur suddenly. It’s critical for your doctor to figure out why your blood pressure is decreasing and treat the underlying problem.
