Quick checklist for your low blood pressure:
Low blood pressure symptoms may include:
- Blurry or fading vision.
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
- Fainting.
- Having trouble concentrating.
- Upset stomach.
- Rapid, shallow breaths.
- Fatigue or weakness.
- Feeling tired, sluggish, or lethargic.
- Confusion or trouble concentrating.
- Agitation or other unusual behavior changes (a person not acting like themselves).
If you experience these symptoms, the effects depend on the cause of hypotension, the rate at which it occurs, and underlying factors. Gradual drops in blood pressure are regular and become more common with age. In contrast, sudden drops may indicate insufficient blood flow to parts of the body, potentially causing uncomfortable, disruptive, or harmful effects.
What is hypotension?
Low blood pressure, known as hypotension, occurs when the blood pressure is too low to maintain proper force against the artery walls, resulting in inadequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Typically, a reading below 90/60 mm Hg is classified as low blood pressure.
What is considered low blood pressure for one individual may be normal for another. Although low blood pressure often does not produce noticeable symptoms, it can cause dizziness and fainting. In some instances, it can even be life-threatening.
Low blood pressure can result from dehydration and other serious health issues. It is crucial to determine the underlying cause to ensure appropriate treatment if necessary.
What are the causes of low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure has multiple causes. Certain health conditions and specific medications can lead to it. Other factors also influence blood pressure.
Medical conditions that may lead to low blood pressure include:
- Pregnancy :causes blood vessels to dilate rapidly, resulting in a temporary drop in blood pressure. Blood pressure drops in the first and second trimester, then increases in the third trimester and returns to normal levels after delivery. After delivery, blood pressure usually goes back to pre-pregnancy levels.
- Heart and heart valve conditions :such as heart attacks, heart failure, heart valve disease, and bradycardia (a slow heart rate), can all lead to low blood pressure.
- Hormone-related diseases :or endocrine conditions, such as Addison’s disease, that impact glands producing vital hormones, potentially leading to a drop in blood pressure.
- Dehydration :can lead to a reduction in blood volume and a decrease in blood pressure. Causes include fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, overuse of diuretics, and intense exercise.
- Blood loss : lowers blood volume, which can dangerously decrease blood pressure. Severe blood loss may happen due to injuries or internal bleeding.
- Severe infection : can cause a life-threatening condition called septic shock, characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure. Another term for a disease that happens when germs enter the bloodstream and spread is septicemia.
- A severe allergic reaction :or anaphylaxis, is marked by symptoms like a sudden and substantial decrease in blood pressure.
- Poor nutrition : can cause deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate, and iron, hindering the body’s ability to produce enough red blood cells. A deficiency in healthy red blood cells leads to anemia, which can result in low blood pressure.
Certain medications can cause low blood pressure, such as:
- All medications used to manage high blood pressure, including diuretics, alpha blockers, and beta blockers.
- Medications for Parkinson’s disease
- Certain types of depression medications called tricyclic antidepressants
- Medicines for erectile dysfunction, especially when taken with heart medication like nitroglycerin.
What are the risk factors that cause low blood pressure?
Risk factors for hypotension are as follows:
- Age-related blood pressure drops, like when standing or eating, mainly happen in adults over 65. In contrast, neurally mediated hypotension primarily impacts children and younger adults.
- Medications. Certain drugs, including all medicines used to treat high blood pressure, can cause low blood pressure.
- Diseases like Parkinson’s, diabetes, and certain heart conditions can lead to low blood pressure.
- Consuming alcohol or illegal drugs can raise the likelihood of developing low blood pressure.
How is hypotension diagnosed?
To check for low blood pressure, or hypotension, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about your medical history. The exam involves measuring your blood pressure.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may perform these tests:
- Blood tests: can reveal symptoms of conditions that might decrease blood pressure, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperglycemia or diabetes (high blood sugar), and anemia (low red blood cell count).
- An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): is a quick, painless test that records the heart’s electrical activity. This test shows heart rate and can help detect current or past heart attacks.
- The Tilt Table Test: evaluates the body’s response to changing positions by having the patient lie on a table that is tilted to raise the upper body, simulating the transition from a lying to a standing position. Straps secure the patient, while heart rate and blood pressure are continuously monitored.
What treatment options are available for low blood pressure?
Depending on your age, health, and the type of low blood pressure you experience, there are multiple ways to manage it.
- Increase salt intake: carefully. Salt can benefit people with low blood pressure, but excessive salt or sodium may lead to heart failure, particularly in older adults. Consulting your doctor before increasing salt or consuming high-sodium foods is advised.
- Increase your water intake: Fluids raise blood volume and prevent dehydration, which are crucial for controlling hypotension.
- Wear compression stockings :also called support stockings. These elastic garments are often used to reduce pain and swelling caused by varicose veins. They help improve blood flow from the legs back to the heart.
- Medicines: Multiple medications can address low blood pressure that happens when standing, known as orthostatic hypotension. For instance, fludrocortisone helps increase blood volume and is commonly prescribed for this condition.
- Eat small, low-carb meals: throughout the day. To prevent a sharp drop in blood pressure after eating, opt for smaller portions more frequently. Avoid high-carbohydrate foods, such as potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread.
- Exercise consistently: targeting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly, such as about 30 minutes most days. Incorporate strength-training exercises at least twice weekly. Nevertheless, steer clear of exercising in hot and humid conditions.
Living with hypotension
Hypotension may have no symptoms, so many people might be unaware they have it. However, for some, it leads to uncomfortable symptoms that disrupt daily life. If you suspect you have low blood pressure, it is essential to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. Accurate diagnosis and management can help prevent falls and other health issues. Fortunately, this condition is often manageable, and your doctor can offer valuable guidance on self-care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is impacted by low blood pressure?
Hypotension can impact individuals of all ages and backgrounds, depending on its cause. Nonetheless, symptoms are more common in people over 50, particularly with orthostatic hypotension. In very physically active individuals, often younger, it may occur without any symptoms.
What are the common signs of low blood pressure?
Your doctor may notice signs of low blood pressure, such as an abnormal heart rate (either too slow or too fast), sweating, clammy and pale skin, coolness in the extremities, decreased cardiac output (the amount of blood your heart pumps), and reduced urine output. These are signs of hypotensive shock, which is a medical emergency. If you or anyone nearby shows these signs, seek medical help immediately.
How soon will I start feeling better after treatment?
Depending on the cause of your hypotension, you may start to feel better as the treatment begins to take effect. Sometimes, it can take longer, days or even weeks, for medication or other therapies to consistently improve your symptoms.
When is it necessary to visit the emergency room?
If you have hypotension, seek medical attention if you experience chest pain, pass out, faint, or fall due to light-headedness and hit your head, especially if you are on blood-thinning medications. Also, go to the hospital if you injure yourself from a fall caused by passing out. Additionally, seek help if you show signs of shock, such as feeling cold, sweating, rapid breathing, or a fast heartbeat. You might also notice a bluish tint on your lips or under your fingernails.
What should I expect if I have low blood pressure?
If you have hypotension, your outlook depends on its cause and whether you experience symptoms. Without symptoms, it usually is not a problem. However, if symptoms appear, they can disrupt activities like standing, self-care, cooking, driving, and other daily tasks. That is why understanding low blood pressure and following your doctor’s advice are essential to reducing its impact on your daily life.
