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Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood pressure during and after each heartbeat is much lower than usual. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood.
See also: Blood pressure
Alternative NamesLow blood pressure; Blood pressure - low; Postprandial hypotension; Orthostatic hypotension; Neurally mediated hypotension; NMH
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsBlood pressure that is borderline low for one person may be normal for another. The most important factor is how the blood pressure changes from the normal condition.
Most normal blood pressures fall in the range of 90/60 millimeters of Mercury (mm Hg) to 130/80 mm Hg. But a significant drop, even as little as 20 mm Hg, can cause problems for some people.
There are three main types of hypotension:
- Orthostatic hypotension, including postprandial orthostatic hypotension
- Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH)
- Severe hypotension brought on by a sudden loss of blood (shock)
Orthostatic hypotension is brought on by a sudden change in body position, usually when shifting from lying down to standing. This type of hypotension usually lasts only a few seconds or minutes. If this type of hypotension occurs after eating, it is called postprandial orthostatic hypotension. This form most commonly affects older adults, those with high blood pressure, and persons with Parkinson's disease.
NMH most often affects young adults and children. It occurs when a person has been standing for a long time. Children usually outgrow this type of hypotension.
Low blood pressure is commonly caused by drugs such as:
- Alcohol
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Certain antidepressants
- Diuretics
- Heart medicines, including those used to treat high blood pressure and coronary Heart disease
- Medications used for surgery
- Painkillers
Other causes of low blood pressure include:
- Advanced diabetes
- Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic response)
- Changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
- Dehydration
- Fainting
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Shock (from severe infection, stroke, anaphylaxis, major trauma, or heart attack)
Symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fainting (syncope)
- Light-headedness
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
The health care provider will examine you and try to determine what is causing the low blood pressure. Your vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) will be checked frequently. You may need to stay in the hospital for a while.
The doctor will ask questions, including:
- What is your normal blood pressure?
- What medications do you take?
- Have you been eating and drinking normally?
- Have you had any recent illness, accident, or injury?
- What other symptoms do you have?
- Did you faint or become less alert?
- Do you feel dizzy or light-headed when standing or sitting after lying down?
The following tests may be done:
- Blood cultures to check for infection
- Complete blood count (CBC) and other blood tests, including blood differential
- ECG
- Urinalysis
- X-ray of the abdomen
- X-ray of the chest
Hypotension in a healthy person that does not cause any problems usually doesn't require treatment.
If you have signs or symptoms of low blood pressure, you may need treatment. Treatment depends on the cause of your low blood pressure. Severe hypotension caused by shock is a medical emergency. You may be given blood through a needle (IV), medicines to increase blood pressure and improve heart strength, and other medicines, such as antibiotics. For more details, see the article on shock.
If you have orthostatic hypotension caused by medicines, your doctor may change the dose or switch you to a different drug. DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your doctor. Other treatments for orthostatic hypotension include increasing fluids to treat dehydration or wearing elastic hose to boost blood pressure in the lower part of the body.
Those with NMH should avoid triggers, such as standing for a long period of time. Other treatments involve drinking plenty of fluids and increasing the amount of salt in your diet. (Ask your doctor about specific recommendations.) In severe cases, medicines such as fludrocortisone may be prescribed.
Expectations (prognosis)Low blood pressure can usually be treated with success.
Complications- Shock
- Injury from falls due to fainting
Falls are particularly dangerous for older adults. Fall-related injuries, such as a broken hip, can dramatically impact a person's quality of life.
Severe hypotension starves your body of oxygen, which can damage the heart, brain, and other organs. This type of hypotension can be life threatening if not immediately treated.
Calling your health care providerWhen you have symptoms from a drop in blood pressure, you should immediately sit or lie down and raise your feet above heart level.
If low blood pressure causes a person to pass out (become unconscious), seek immediate medical treatment or call the local emergency number (such as 911). If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR.
Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Black or maroon stools
- Chest pain
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Fever higher than 101 degrees
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
Also call your doctor if you have:
- Burning with urination or other urinary symptoms
- Cough with phlegm
- Inability to eat or drink
- Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting
If you have low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend certain steps to prevent or reduce your symptoms. This may include:
- Avoiding alcohol
- Avoiding standing for a long time (if you have NMH)
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down
- Using compression stockings to increase blood pressure in the legs
What else can I help you with?
Why does your heart pound when you stand up?
When you stand up, your body has to quickly adjust to the change in position, which can lead to a temporary drop in blood pressure. To compensate for this drop, your heart rate increases to pump more blood to your brain and other organs, resulting in a pounding sensation in your chest. This is known as orthostatic hypotension.
Why is when sometimes you stand up everything goes black?
What you were experiencing, in doctor speak, is orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure.Normally, blood vessels constrict to maintain blood pressure and compensate for changes in position, but in some cases the blood vessels don't compensate and, when you stand up, the blood doesn't go to the brain. Basically, the reflexes of the body don't catch up with the blood vessels.Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/What_does_it_mean_when_you_stand_up_and_stretch_and_everything_goes_black_almost_like_you_are_momentarily_blind_and_you_feel_dizzy_so_you_have_to_hold_onto_a_chair_to_keep_your_balance#ixzz1LpwAP9PG
What are the Signs and symptoms of hemodynamic compromise?
Signs and symptoms of hemodynamic compromise can include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, weak pulse, cool and clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it may lead to organ failure and shock if not promptly managed. Immediate medical attention is necessary in such cases.
What is hypontension?
Hypotension is low blood pressure, which can cause symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It can be caused by factors such as dehydration, heart problems, or certain medications. Treatment may involve addressing the underlying cause and making lifestyle changes such as staying hydrated and avoiding sudden position changes.
What causes the change from supine to standing?
The change from supine (lying on your back) to standing involves a complex interaction between the nervous system, muscular system, and cardiovascular system. When transitioning to a standing position, the body quickly adjusts blood flow distribution, activates postural muscles, and increases heart rate to maintain blood pressure and ensure adequate circulation to the brain. This process is controlled by the autonomic nervous system to prevent orthostatic hypotension and maintain overall stability.
Another word for postural?
In the context of hypotension, orthostatic hypotension is the same as postural hypotension.
What does Orthostatic hypotension also get called?
Postural hypotension
What is it called when your blood pressure drops?
This is called hypotension.
Is there a medical condition that includes hypotension anemia and low hemoglobin?
treatment of hypotension
When your blood pressure drops from standing too quickly it is called?
In my hospital it's called postural hypotension.
How do you use the word hypotension in a sentence?
Hypotension means a lower than normal blood pressure. Here are some sentences.Hypotension might make you pass out.Her blood pressure reading showed hypotension instead of hypertension.Doctors can treat hypotension.
Which celebrities suffer from hypotension?
Hypotension is more commonly known as low blood pressure. There may be many celebrities that have it and are not public about it we do know the Sanjay Dutt suffers from hypotension.
What is low blood pressure that occurs from standing up called?
Postural Hypotension or Orthostatic Hypotension
What specialists treat orthostatic hypotension?
One of the most commonly prescribed medications for treating orthostatic hypotension is fludrocortisone acetate.
What is low when you have hypotension?
Blood Pressure.
The condition in which rising from a sitting or prone position causes low blood pressure and lightheadedness is called?
Orthostatic Hypotension
What is the medical term meaning lower than normal blood pressure?
LBP. Low Blood Pressure aka HypotensionLBP - hypotension
