Hypotension is a drop in systolic blood pressure below normal values. These values are considered to be 90 mmHg for large blood pressure and 60 mmHg for small blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension, a type of low blood pressure, is a dizzy reaction to standing up suddenly. Blood vessels that contract when sitting or lying down cannot adapt quickly when standing up and blood pressure drops.
Could your blood pressure be too low? What is low blood pressure? What causes low blood pressure?
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Many systems of the body are involved in regulating blood pressure, including organs, hormones and nerves. The body uses nerves to raise blood pressure in some cases and lower it in others. The causes of low blood pressure are:
Blood loss from injury
Sudden movements
Neuropathy
Severe pain
Dehydration
Diabetes
Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
High blood pressure medication
Depression
Parkinson
Pregnancy
Malnutrition
Use of certain medications
Factors such as fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, overuse of diuretics cause dehydration and can lower blood pressure. At the same time, a drop in blood pressure in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy is common and often does not cause serious problems. However, significant blood loss due to severe internal bleeding in injuries reduces blood volume, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure and requiring emergency treatment.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is normal when sitting or lying down, but when standing up, blood pressure suddenly drops, causing a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness. This can also occur when standing for too long without moving. However, there are often no symptoms and low blood pressure is determined during a medical examination. But in some cases, low blood pressure causes the following symptoms:
Feeling dizzy
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Pale, moist skin
Fatigue
Fainting
What Causes Low Blood Pressure?
A sudden drop in blood pressure can cause dizziness and loss of consciousness. These symptoms appear quickly, leading to falls or other injuries. At the same time, a dangerous drop in blood pressure can cause a decrease in blood supply to vital organs, which can lead to a serious condition such as shock. Severely low blood pressure must be treated as soon as possible. A person admitted to hospital with low blood pressure may undergo some tests such as ECG monitoring and blood pressure measurement. As a result of these procedures, the appropriate treatment is started by the doctor.
How to Prevent Low Blood Pressure?
If low blood pressure is not caused by a serious illness or medication, some suggestions can help prevent it. One of these recommendations is not to stand up suddenly. It is also important to make sure that the person is adequately nourished and does not experience prolonged hunger. If a person has a serious low blood pressure problem for which they are on medication or treatment, contacting a telehealth provider in an emergency can be useful for monitoring the situation. If a person exercises frequently or is in hot areas, this can also lower blood pressure. Therefore, avoiding very hot water, especially in the shower, and drinking enough fluids during exercise can help.
Low Blood Pressure Treatment
If hypotension is caused by another condition, the physician will first treat this condition. After the disease is treated, the problem of hypotension also disappears. However, if the person does not have another condition or if it cannot be treated, various methods can be used to control low blood pressure. One of these is medication. In emergency cases, fluid supplements and other treatments can also be used to normalize very low blood pressure levels.
