Jun 19

All the details about Hypotension

Posted in Medical Science, New, News by Miss Kornelija Dedelaite

Dizziness can be a symptom of low blood pressure. Low blood pressure can occur with some medical conditions, such as pregnancy, as well as after eating, while standing up, or in response to shock or stress.

What is low blood pressure?

With each heartbeat, your blood presses against your arteries. Blood pressure is the force of blood pressing against the walls of your arteries.

Your blood pressure fluctuates in reaction to your daily activities, including moving around and resting. Hypotension is the medical word for low blood pressure.

The two measures of your blood pressure are during a heartbeat and during the intervals between heartbeats.

The measurement of how much blood flows through your arteries as the heart’s ventricles contract is known as systolic pressure, sometimes referred to as systole. Your body gets its blood from the systole.

For the rest intervals, the measurement is called diastolic pressure, or diastole. Diastole fills the coronary arteries, supplying your heart with blood.

In most circumstances, it is beneficial to have a lower blood pressure (less than 120/80). However, low blood pressure can occasionally cause fatigue and vertigo. Under certain circumstances, hypotension may indicate the need for treatment for an underlying illness. Adults with a blood pressure level of less than 90/60 are considered to have hypotension.

Different types of hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension

There exist multiple varieties of hypotension. Low blood pressure is classified based on its cause and the time it occurs.

Moving from a sitting or lying down position to a standing one causes a dip in blood pressure known as orthostatic hypotension, or postural hypotension.

You can experience light-headedness or dizziness until your body adjusts to the new position. When people wake up and experience orthostatic hypotension, they refer to as “seeing stars.”

Lower blood pressure most commonly occurs as orthostatic hypotension. While it can afflict individuals of any age, older persons are particularly susceptible to it. A general decrease in blood pressure can also be brought on by pregnancy and ageing.

Orthostatic hypotension is frequently the result of autonomic nervous system disorders including diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. About 30% of diabetics and 30 to 50% of Parkinson’s disease patients experience this type of low blood pressure.

Postprandial hypotension

Postprandial hypotension can occur after eating when there is a dip in blood pressure. A 2010 review found that those with autonomic dysfunction and older adults are more likely to experience low blood pressure after eating.

Neurally mediated

Between your nervous system and other body systems (such as your hormones and organs), blood pressure is a delicate balance. An aberrant reflex connection between the heart and brain may result in neurologically induced hypotension.

Neurally induced hypotension has several causes:

staying still for an extended period of time. This type of hypotension affects children more frequently than it does adults.
exhibiting a strong emotional reaction, as shock or fear. For this reason, some people have low blood pressure when undergoing medical or dental operations.

Other types of hypotension

A persistently low blood pressure might be an adverse reaction to certain drugs. For instance, drugs intended to treat hypertension may occasionally result in hypotension.

Overall hypotension can also result from disorders affecting the hormone systems, liver, heart, or nerves. Low blood pressure can also be caused by vitamin deficiency.

Causes of hypotension

Everybody experiences occasional decreases in blood pressure. There are instances when your blood pressure is lower than usual due to your body’s natural control over blood flow.

Some people consistently have low blood pressure without exhibiting any symptoms. This kind of hypotension has an enigmatic source. However, there are some conditions which cause hypotension and if left untreated or unchecked may be fatal:

pregnancy, as a result of the growing foetus’s increased need for blood from the pregnant woman
poor circulation brought on by a heart attack or other cardiac issue
dehydration, such as when you have severe diarrhoea or are vomiting and unable to swallow drinks
endocrine conditions like thyroid illness, diabetes, and adrenal insufficiency
injury to the nerves that regulate some body functions, or autonomic dysfunction
extended bed rest
shock, a dangerous illness where there is little oxygen reaching your vital organs
anaphylactic shock is a serious allergic response.
significant blood loss from injuries
blood infections

What are the symptoms of hypotension?

Not all cases of hypotension result in symptoms. However, low blood pressure can also indicate that your essential organs aren’t getting enough blood flow. Should this occur, you may experience fatigue or illness. Hypotension symptoms can include:

exhaustion, a general feeling of exhaustion or low energy
dizziness or a sense of impending fainting
light-headedness, unsteadiness on standing or rising from a seated or reclining position
nausea, a feeling of unease in your abdomen that makes you want to throw up
When your skin feels clammy or wet to the touch
depression, enduring emotions like melancholy or poor mood that interfere with day-to-day activities
loss of consciousness, sometimes referred to as syncope or fainting
fuzzy vision, which occurs when your vision is fuzzy or out of focus

What can you do about low blood pressure?

Occasionally, you might improve your low blood pressure by making certain habit changes. Since everyone experiences hypotension for various reasons, it’s likely that not all of these adjustments will be part of your care plan.

Depending on the details of your case, your physician may advise you to:

Hydration

To prevent hypotension from dehydration, drink a lot of water, especially if you’re throwing up or have diarrhoea. Drink plenty of water when exercising and in hot weather.

In certain situations, your physician could advise you to consume more electrolytes in order to maintain a higher blood pressure.

Learn what causes you stress or strong emotional responses

Note the instances in which you had intense fear or emotion just before to a decrease in your blood pressure. Planning ahead might allow you to steer clear of those circumstances. Alternatively, you can arrange for assistance in the event that you feel ill or dizzy.

You may want to let them know if you typically have low blood pressure when you see the dentist or physician.

Stretch and move around

If prolonged standing causes your blood pressure to drop, consider tensing your leg muscles and staying still. Take a moment to sit if you are able to.

Don’t stand up immediately

Adjust your posture gradually and carefully. Make gradual movements to get into a sitting or standing position rather than standing up abruptly. Breathing deeply and slowly may assist maintain elevated blood pressure.

Change your diet

Your doctor may advise eating different foods or smaller meals more frequently throughout the day if you have low blood pressure after eating. Refrain from getting up abruptly after eating.

Low blood pressure can be managed in a variety of methods in day-to-day activities. Depending on your needs, your doctor could prescribe different lifestyle choices.

Check your health at Echelon Health

Understanding low blood pressure and associated symptoms can help many people manage the illness. If you have triggers, identify them and learn how to deal with them.

Your doctor could suggest changing your lifestyle or receiving medical attention if your low blood pressure is causing you to feel ill. Take any recommended medicine as instructed in order to raise your blood pressure and prevent any possibly dangerous side effects.

If you experience any symptoms or have concerns about your blood pressure, it’s advisable to let your doctor know.

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