What Is It?
Your doctor may say you have low blood pressure when your
numbers are lower than 90 over 60. The medical term is "hypotension."
But it isn't always a problem. Unlike high blood pressure, doctors usually
don't use a standard set of numbers to figure out if you're ill. But if you
also have symptoms like dizziness and nausea, it could be a sign that your
blood pressure is too low for good health.
Measuring Blood
Pressure
A cuff linked to a special device tightens around your arm
to get two measurements. The top number, or "systolic," notes the
pressure your blood makes against your artery walls when the heart beats. The
bottom number, or "diastolic," measures the pressure between beats,
while the heart is relaxing and filling with blood. You can get readings in
your doctor's office or at home.
Symptoms
Your brain usually shows the first symptoms of hypotension.
Besides dizziness and nausea, your spirits might be low, you might lack energy,
and find it hard to think straight. Some people feel lightheaded enough to
faint or notice cold, clammy skin, faster breathing, blurry vision, or chest
pain. If your low pressure is caused by dehydration, you also might feel
unusually thirsty.
Cause: Expanded Blood
Vessels
Sometimes your blood vessels widen. That means there's more
space for blood to spread out, which puts less pressure on the walls of those
vessels. Some drugs, especially a type called vasodilators, can cause this. So
can spinal injuries that damage certain nerves, serious bacterial infections,
and allergic reactions. Hormone problems like Addison's disease, which weakens
the adrenal glands, can also do it.
Less Blood
Less blood means less pressure on your veins and arteries.
An injury might cause you to bleed -- either outside your body where you can
see it, or inside. It might also happen if you don't get enough to drink, your
blood vessels leak fluid, or you have a blood condition called anemia. Sometimes
your kidneys get rid of too much fluid because of illness or certain drugs,
like diuretics.
Heart Problems
The more blood your heart pumps per minute, the higher your
blood pressure. Certain medications, along with hormone problems, heart damage,
or misfiring electrical signals, can make your heart beat too slowly, which
lowers that pressure. Or it could be that your heart is not as strong as it
used to be because of a heart attack, heart failure, or problems with the
valves, and so doesn't pump as much blood per beat.
Standing Quickly
Normally when you stand suddenly, your body sends a signal
to your brain that says "Hey! We just dropped a bunch of blood down to the
legs and belly, and we need to pump some more back upstairs before you get
dizzy and pass out!" But sometimes, your brain doesn't get the message
quickly enough and you start to feel lightheaded. You might even faint. Your
doctor might call this problem "orthostatic hypotension" or
"vasovagal syncope."
Getting a Diagnosis
Once your doctor knows your symptoms, blood tests can help
diagnose the reason for your low blood pressure. An electrocardiogram,
ultrasound, and other tests check your heart health. The Valsalva maneuver
observes nerve signals that control your heart and blood vessels, and a
"tilt table" test looks at how your body responds to position
changes.
Treatment
It depends on the cause. You may need to the treat the
conditions that are giving you low blood pressure. If medication is the
problem, you may need to change it or lower the dose, but always talk to your
doctor first. Other drugs can help lower your pressure, and compression socks can
help push blood up from where it pools in your legs. If you don't have
bothersome symptoms, you might not need treatment.
Lifestyle Changes
You can help lessen the symptoms of low blood pressure at
home.
Add a bit more salt back into your diet, but check with your
doctor first.
Drink more water. It keeps your blood volume up, which
raises blood pressure.
Cut back on alcohol. It can dehydrate you and lower blood
volume and blood pressure.
Eat multiple, small meals that are low-carb, instead of
three big ones, if your pressure drops after eating.
(Web MD)
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