Definition
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood pressure during and after each heart beat is much lower than usual. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood. Dizziness or lightheadedness can result.
See also: Blood pressure
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fainting ( syncope )
- Lightheadedness
- Sleepiness
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Definition
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood pressure during and after each heart beat is much lower than usual. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood. Dizziness or lightheadedness can result.
See also: Blood pressure
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fainting ( syncope )
- Lightheadedness
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
A sudden drop in blood pressure that causes a sudden, brief loss of consciousness ( syncope ) can lead to accidents, including falls. Falls are particularly dangerous for older adults. Fall-related injuries, such as a broken hip, can dramatically impact a person's quality of life.
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Causes
Blood 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 ...
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Treatment
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 ...
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Other Names
Low blood pressure; Blood pressure - low; Postprandial hypotension; Orthostatic hypotension; Neurally mediated hypotension; NMH
Possible Complications
- Injury from falls due to fainting
- Shock
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Outlook (Prognosis)
Low blood pressure can usually be treated with success.
Prevention
If you have low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend certain steps to prevent or reduce your symptoms. This may include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Avoiding alcohol
- Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down
- Using compression stockings to increase blood pressure in the legs
- Avoiding standing for a long time (if you have NMH)
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Exams and Tests
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 have 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:
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References
Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine , 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2005.
