HYPOTENSION

Your Wellbeing Matters

Blood pressure is the pressure or force exerted by blood against blood vessels that result in causing pumping of the heart. Blood pressure keeps in rising with every heartbeat and falls when the heart relaxes. Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, is blood pressure that is low enough that the flow of blood to the organs of the body is inadequate.

Low blood pressure is referred to that condition when the readings of the blood pressure are below the normal level and according to the American heart Association “normal blood pressure level lies below (120/80mm Hg)”, if the blood pressure level is below 90/60, then it is said that a person is suffering from low blood pressure.

When the blood pressure of the body starts falling rapidly, then it is termed as condition of orthostatic hypotension, which is also referred as postural hypotension, symptoms of the disorder are experienced when a person stands up after lying or sitting for a long period of time. Although, the condition is commonly observed in older adults, younger generations are at equal risk.If the necessary step is not taken within stipulated time period, then the condition may get worse resulting in causing severe hypotension. Therefore, it is important to treat the condition after gaining adequate knowledge about the causes.

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Main causes of the low blood pressure can be summarized as:

Malnutrition
Faulty nutrition
Loss of blood
Pericarditis (read more here)
Pulmonary embolism (read more here)
Weekend heart muscle
Dehydration - This can sometimes cause blood pressure to drop. However, dehydration does not automatically signal low blood pressure. Fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, overuse of diuretics and strenuous exercise can all lead to dehydration, a potentially serious condition in which your body loses more water than you take in. Even mild dehydration (a loss of as little as 1 percent to 2 percent of body weight), can cause weakness, dizziness and fatigue.
Dizziness or lightheaded
Fainting
Depression
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Rapid of shallow breathing
Lack of concentration

PLEASE NOTE THAT as long as no symptoms are present, low blood pressure is not a problem. Also a single lower-than-normal reading is not a cause for alarm if you are not experiencing any symptoms or problems. However, a sudden drop in blood pressure, even a change of 20 mm Hg can cause dizziness or fainting. Sometimes a rapid decrease in blood pressure can indicate an underlying problem such as if your blood pressure is normally higher or if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, your low pressure may have an underlying cause. Low blood pressure can also occur during on of the following;

Prolonged bed rest

Pregnancy
During the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, it's common for blood pressure to drop.

Decreases in blood volume
A decrease in blood volume can also cause blood pressure to drop. A significant loss of blood from major trauma, dehydration or severe internal bleeding reduces blood volume, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure.

Certain medications
A number of drugs can cause low blood pressure, including diuretics and other drugs that treat hypertension; heart medications such as beta blockers; drugs for Parkinson's disease; tricyclic antidepressants; erectile dysfunction drugs, particularly in combination with nitroglycerine; narcotics and alcohol. Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may cause low blood pressure when taken in combination with HBP medications.

Heart problems
Among the heart conditions that can lead to low blood pressure are an abnormally low heart rate (bradycardia), problems with heart valves, heart attack and heart failure. Your heart may not be able to circulate enough blood to meet your body's needs.

Endocrine problems
Such problems include complications with hormone-producing glands in the body's endocrine systems; specifically, an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), parathyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), low blood sugar and, in some cases, diabetes.

Severe infection (septic shock)
Septic shock can occur when bacteria leave the original site of an infection (most often in the lungs, abdomen or urinary tract) and enter the bloodstream. The bacteria then produce toxins that affect blood vessels, leading to a profound and life-threatening decline in blood pressure.

Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Anaphylactic shock is a sometimes-fatal allergic reaction that can occur in people who are highly sensitive to drugs such as penicillin, to certain foods such as peanuts, or to bee or wasp stings. This type of shock is characterized by breathing problems, hives, itching, a swollen throat and a sudden, dramatic fall in blood pressure.

Neurally mediated hypotension
Unlike orthostatic hypotension, this disorder causes blood pressure to drop after standing for long periods, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fainting. This condition primarily affects young people and occurs because of a miscommunication between the heart and the brain.

Nutritional deficiencies
A lack of the essential vitamins B-12 and folic acid can cause anemia, which in turn can lead to low blood pressure.

Treatment