Low blood pressure or hypotension is often defined as having a systolic or diastolic value that is less than 90 or 60 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), respectively.
Someone else may be OK with what another person considers to be normal blood pressure. Low blood pressure might leave you feeling unwell or it can make you feel lightheaded and faint. Low blood pressure may sometimes endanger life.
Dehydration and significant medical issues are just a few of the factors that might induce low blood pressure. It’s critical to identify the cause of low blood pressure so that, if required, it may be addressed.
Types
Various forms of low blood pressure include:
- Hypotension in the posture (orthostatic hypotension). This is a sharp reduction in blood pressure upon getting up from a seated or lying down posture. Dehydration, prolonged bed rest, pregnancy, certain medical conditions, and certain drugs are some of the causes. Older people often have this kind of low blood pressure.
- Hypotension after a meal. After eating, this decline in blood pressure happens one to two hours later. Older persons are more likely to be affected, particularly those with high blood pressure or disorders of the autonomic nervous system, including Parkinson’s disease. Small, low-carb meals, increased water consumption, and abstinence from alcohol may all assist to lessen symptoms.
- Hypotension with neural mediation. This is a dip in blood pressure that occurs after prolonged standing. Young people and children are most often impacted by this sort of low blood pressure. It might be caused by a breakdown in brain-heart connection.
- Orthostatic hypotension together with multiple system atrophy. This uncommon condition, also known as Shy-Drager syndrome, affects the neurological system that regulates involuntary processes including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and digestion. When you’re laying down, it’s linked to having really high blood pressure.
Symptoms
Symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension) include:
- Diminished or blurred eyesight
- Unsteadiness or faintness
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Difficulty focusing
- Nausea
When blood pressure decreases unexpectedly or is accompanied by symptoms, it may be an indication of an underlying health issue for some individuals.
It may be harmful when blood pressure suddenly drops. Even a little fluctuation in blood pressure, such as going from 110 mm Hg to 90 mm Hg, might result in fainting and dizziness. Additionally, large dips, such those brought on by uncontrollable bleeding, serious infections, or allergic responses, might be fatal.
The condition known as shock may result from very low blood pressure. Shock symptoms include:
- Confusion, particularly in the elderly
- Clammy, frigid skin
- Fading of skin color (pallor)
- Shallow, rapid breathing
- Weak and rapid heartbeat
Whenever To See A Doctor
You should seek emergency medical attention if you exhibit signs of shock or very low blood pressure (hypotension).
Only until symptoms occur do most medical professionals consider blood pressure to be too low. Spending too much time in the sun or a hot tub are just two of the numerous factors that might result in occasional, mild dizziness or lightheadedness. To get the proper diagnosis, it’s crucial to visit a healthcare professional.
Your doctor may just watch you during regular checks if you routinely have low blood pressure readings but are otherwise healthy. Keeping track of your symptoms, when they happen, and what you were doing at the time might be beneficial.
Causes
The volume of blood the heart pumps and the degree of resistance to blood flow in the arteries together determine blood pressure. The unit of measurement for blood pressure is millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It has two figures:
- Systolic force. The pressure in the arteries while the heart beats is represented by the first (upper) number.
- Diastolic force. The pressure in the arteries between heartbeats is represented by the second (bottom) number.
Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal by the American Heart Association. Typically, a healthy blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg.
Daily variations in blood pressure depend on:
- Body placement
- Breathing
- Food and beverage
- Medications
- Physical state
- Stress
- Date and time
Typically, blood pressure is lowest at night and quickly increases when you get up. Low blood pressure may be brought on by certain medical disorders and pharmaceutical usage.
Circumstances That May Result In Low Blood Pressure
The following medical problems may result in low blood pressure:
- Pregnancy. Blood vessels quickly enlarge due to pregnancy-related changes. The adjustments might lower blood pressure. Early in a pregnancy (the first 24 weeks), low blood pressure is typical. After giving delivery, blood pressure typically recovers to pre-pregnancy levels.
- Conditions of the heart and heart valves. Low blood pressure may be brought on by a heart attack, heart failure, heart valve dysfunction, and an abnormally slow heartbeat (bradycardia).Illnesses (endocrine disorders) caused by hormones. Blood pressure may fall with conditions that affect the parathyroid or adrenal glands, such Addison’s disease. Hypoglycemia, diabetes, and other conditions can drop blood pressure.
- Dehydration. The volume of blood in the body reduces when there is not enough water present. Blood pressure may decline as a result of this. Dehydration may be brought on by fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, using diuretics excessively, and vigorous activity.
- Losing blood. Blood volume is reduced when there is significant blood loss, such as through an accident or internal bleeding, and this causes a sharp reduction in blood pressure.
- Septicemia, or a severe infection. Septic shock is a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure that may occur when an infection in the body enters the circulation.
- Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic response. A significant decline in blood pressure is one of the signs of a severe allergic response.
- A diet lacking in nutrition. Low iron, folate, and vitamin B-12 levels may prevent the body from generating enough red blood cells, which can cause anemia and lower blood pressure.
Prescription drugs that may lower blood pressure
Low blood pressure may result from taking certain drugs, such as:
- Diuretics, or water tablets, include hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) and furosemide (Lasix).
- Alpha-blocking medications like prazosin (Minipress)
- Atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL, Hemangeol) are examples of beta blockers.
- Parkinson’s medication, such as pramipexole (Mirapex) or levodopa-containing medications
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as doxepin (Silenor) and imipramine (Tofranil), fall within this category.
- Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra) and tadalafil (Adcirca, Alyq, Cialis), especially when used with the heart medicine nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitro-Dur, Nitromist), are medications for erectile dysfunction.
Risk Factors
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may affect anybody. Hypotension risk factors include:
- Age. Blood pressure drops when you stand up or after eating are more common in persons over 65. Hypotension that is neurologically mediated typically affects children and young adults.
- Medications. Low blood pressure risk is increased by a number of substances, including certain blood pressure medications.
- Certain illnesses. Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and certain cardiac problems may all raise your risk of low blood pressure.
Complications
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may result in the following complications:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Damage from falls
Severe hypotension may lower the body’s oxygen levels, which can harm the heart and the brain.