Blood pressure lower than the normal range is referred to as hypotension. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood against artery walls drops below normal levels. While often less concerning than high blood pressure (hypertension), it can pose significant health risks, such as dizziness, fainting, or even organ damage in severe cases.
In this blog, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for low blood pressure to help you better understand how to manage this condition.
What is Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)?
Blood pressure is the force that circulating blood exerts against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is measured as two numbers:- Systolic pressure: Pressure when the heart beats.
- Diastolic pressure: Pressure when the heart rests.
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) is defined as a reading below:
- 90 mmHg for systolic pressure.
- 60 mmHg for diastolic pressure.
What causes low blood pressure?
Understanding the underlying causes of hypotension is key to its effective management. Low blood pressure can arise from lifestyle factors, medical conditions, or a combination of both. Let's go through some of the common causes of hypotension:1. Dehydration
Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluids than it absorbs. This reduces blood volume, causing symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and weakness. This is one of the common causes of low blood pressure.2. Heart Conditions
Some heart conditions can cause low blood pressure, including:- Bradycardia (very low heart rate), where the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- Heart attack or heart failure, both of which reduce the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
- Valvular heart disease, where damaged heart valves disrupt blood flow, leading to hypotension.
3. Blood Loss
Severe blood loss from an injury or internal bleeding reduces the amount of blood in your body, thereby reducing blood pressure. That may make your heart unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood in your body to your organs and tissues, bringing about shock.4. Endocrine Problems
Hormonal imbalances caused by problems with the endocrine glands can also lead to low blood pressure. Such conditions include:- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
5. Severe Infections
If an infection enters the blood (sepsis), it can cause critical hypotension. Sepsis is a deadly medical condition that initiates massive inflammation in the body and interferes with normal circulation, which can lead to hypotension.6. Blood Pressure Medications
Some antihypertensive medications, such as alpha-blockers or beta-blockers, cause low blood pressure. Other drugs cause dehydration and low blood pressure, for example, diuretics.7. Nutritional Deficiencies
A diet that lacks certain nutrients, vitamin B12, folate, and iron prevents your body from creating enough red blood cells. This leads to a condition referred to as anemia and causes low blood pressure.8. Pregnancy
The circulatory system enlarges during pregnancy, which can cause blood pressure to decrease. This is normally characteristic of early pregnancy but would need to be watched if the blood pressure does not change or becomes even worse.9. Postural Hypotension Orthostatic Hypotension
Postural (Orthostatic) Hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops significantly upon standing up. Normally, the body constricts blood vessels to maintain blood flow to the brain. In this condition, that response is impaired, leading to dizziness or fainting.10. Prolonged Bed Rest
Long periods in bed can make the circulatory system weak, and patients who are in post-surgery recovery or chronic sufferers may experience low blood pressure.Low Blood Pressure Symptoms: What is the Effect of Low BP?
Some patients with low blood pressure do not show any symptoms, while others have many symptoms and complications. Low blood pressure symptoms occur in the following:1. Dizziness or Lightheadedness
It is one of the most common signs that a person has low blood pressure, especially when he experiences dizziness or dizziness when standing up. This occurs due to the reduction in the amount of blood that reaches the head.2. Fainting
Fainting (syncope) is often triggered by a sudden drop in blood pressure, resulting in insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain. This can happen after standing up quickly or prolonged standing.3. Dilation or Constricted Vision
If your blood pressure is too low, the pupils begin to influence your ability to focus with your eyes and as such can cause blurry eyesight or the eyesight might be covered with dots. This is one of the symptoms associated with a sudden blood pressure change.4. Feeling of a Weakened State
You would probably feel fatigued or weak due to your body's system to supply your muscles and tissues with proper oxygenation and nutrition.5. Nausea
Low blood pressure may lead to malfunction of the digestive system as a secondary result of dizziness and tiredness.6. Cold, Clammy Skin
Consequently, when the blood pressure is low, the body responds by constricting blood vessels in the skin to preserve blood flow to the vital organs. Therefore, when blood pressure is low, it could lead to cold, clammy skin, especially in the extremities.7. Rapid or Shallow Breathing
In extreme cases of hypotension, the body will not be able to circulate oxygen efficiently and the patient will breathe very shallow and rapidly as the body attempts to compensate for the lack of oxygen.Treatment of Hypotension: Lower Blood Pressure
Though hypotension treatment depends on the cause of low blood pressure, if it is caused by an underlying illness, then treatment of the underlying disease could be used to improve blood pressure levels. The following are some common hypotension treatments:1. Fluid Intake
Increasing fluid intake can help stabilize blood pressure, especially when dehydration is the cause. Drinking water boosts blood volume and supports blood pressure maintenance. Among the liquids, water especially expands blood volume and may keep your blood pressure stable.2. Medications
There are some medications which can be prescribed to treat low blood pressure:- Fludrocortisone: It is a corticosteroid that makes more blood volume.
- Midodrine: A pharmacologic agent that primarily causes vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure.
3. Lifestyle Alterations
Some lifestyle changes can be very helpful in managing low blood pressure:- Eat small, frequent meals: Large meals can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, especially after eating. The best approach is to have smaller, more frequent meals.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can lower blood pressure, so intake should be limited for those with hypotension.
- Wear compression stockings: Compression stockings can help prevent blood from pooling in the legs, improve circulation, and reduce symptoms like dizziness or fainting.
4. Salt Intake
Increased salt intake contributes to increased blood pressure. However, this should be done under medical advice since excessive salt is harmful.5. Check-ups and Monitoring
Blood pressure monitoring is vital and mandatory for patients with chronic hypotension to track the changes and avoid complications. Periodic follow-up with a provider might be necessary as part of adjusting the treatment plans.When to See a Doctor?
While low blood pressure can often be managed with lifestyle changes, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion or disorientation
- Frequent or worsening symptoms
Conclusion
Low blood pressure can range from harmless to potentially serious, depending on its cause and severity. While some people live symptom-free, others may require lifestyle adjustments or medical treatment.If you're experiencing low blood pressure symptoms, visit a cardiologist at Asian Heart Institute, one of the best heart hospitals in Mumbai. Regular check-ups can greatly improve your health.
