BLOOD PRESSURE -SYMPTOMS OF LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPOTENSION)
This is a health condition in which the blood pressure drops lower than normal. Some would say they prefer this health condition to hypertension but unknown to many, Hypotension is also very life-threatening.
During blood pressure reading if the systolic (that’s is the number at the top) is lower than 90mmHg (millimetre mercury) and the diastolic (that’s is the number at the bottom) is lower than 60mmHg (millimetre mercury), that blood pressure is generally considered low.
Reason for variation of blood pressure
Blood pressure varies as a result of:
- Stress
- Body position
- Environmental factor
- Medication
- Time of the day
- Food
- Breathing rate
SYMPTOMS OF LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
Hypotension can be associated with these symptoms:
- Weakness
- Low concentration
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Dizziness
In extreme cases these symptoms may occur:
- Increased shallow breathing
- Increased pulse
- Cold
- Pale skin
- Confusion in old people.
CAUSES of Low Blood Pressure
- Lose of blood: if a person loses blood through serious injury or has internal bleeding it makes the pressure of the blood drop.
- Absence of certain nutrients in our diet: when we do not have enough iron and vitamin B12 in our diet, it reduces the production of red blood cells in the body which in turn drops down the blood pressure.
- Serious infection: If an infection in the body enters the bloodstream, it can cause a drastic drop down in blood pressure, this is called septic shock.
- Pregnancy: Due to the expansion of the circulatory system during pregnancy, the blood pressure usually drops but after childbirth, it returns to its level before pregnancy.
- Heart problems: Heart problems of all sorts leads to a drop in blood pressure.
- Dehydration.
The intake of some medications also causes low blood pressure. Medications like:
- Drugs for Parkinson’s disease
- Antidepressant
- Drugs for erectile malfunction
- Alpha-blockers
- Water pills
- Beta-blockers
TYPES of Low Blood Pressure
- Postprandial Hypotension: This is the drop in blood pressure that occurs few hours after eating most especially in older adults.
- Neural mediated Hypotension: This is a drop-down in blood after a long moment of standing that may be due to miscommunication between the heart and the brain. It occurs in children and teenagers.
- Low blood pressure due to destroy the nervous system.
- Orthostatic Hypotension: This is a sudden drop in blood pressure at the moment of standing up after lying down or sitting for some time: naturally when we stand up, gravity pulls blood down to our legs hence for our body to be balanced the heart increases its beating rate. But for some individuals, this process falls thus leading to Dizziness and low blood pressure.
COMPLICATIONS of Low Blood Pressure
The symptoms of a mild Hypotension and that of a severe Hypotension are the same, hence can be very difficult to identify when it’s severe. Severe low blood pressure hinders the flow of oxygen throughout the body, which in turn could lead to brain and heart failure.
Who is at risk of Low Blood Pressure?
Low blood pressure affects people of all age brackets. But certain types of it depends on the following factors:
- Medication: People who take certain medications such as the one used in calming hypertension are at risk of developing low blood pressure.
- Some health conditions: People who have already existing health conditions like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and some heart problems are at risk of developing Hypotension.
- Age: low blood pressure that occurs after eating or when standing, affects older adults 60 years and above.