Causes Of Low Blood Pressure

While less common than high blood pressure, low blood pressure (hypotension) exists and can cause many complications. There are several causes of low blood pressure, some more obscure than others. Some of these causes are also more treatable than others. This article discusses the main causes of low blood pressure.

Heart disease

Heart disease is a common cause of hypotension ("hypo" meaning "deficient" or "under"). Naturally, if the heart is weakened, it pumps less blood throughout the body, lowering blood pressure. Generally, a weakened heart is caused by heart attacks, but infections and certain medications can also weaken the heart. Other heart disease related conditions that cause low blood pressure include pericarditis (put simply, an inflammation of a sac around the heart) and pulmonary embolisms (where a blood clot travels to the heart and eventually the lungs). One should receive regular checkups from a physician to ensure good heart health.

Medications

Certain medications can also cause low blood pressure. These medications include, but are not limited to, calcium channel and beta blockers, certain anti-depressants, diuretics, medications used to treat blood pressure and medications used to treat Parkinson's disease. If you are on any of these medications and think you have low blood pressure, consult a physician.

Other causes

There are many other causes of low blood pressure. One of these is simple dehydration. This is very common for someone with prolonged bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Also, having a low heart rate can cause hypotension. A lower than normal heart rate is caused by sinus problems or drug toxicity. Lastly, an adrenal deficiency can cause low blood pressure.

This is in no way a comprehensive list of the causes of low blood pressure, just the main causes. If you think you have low blood pressure, consult a physician.

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