Hypotension - a basic level presentation

Low Blood Pressure
Definition
Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body may not get enough blood. Normal blood pressure is mostly between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.

The medical word for low blood pressure is hypotension.

Alternative Names
Hypotension; Blood pressure - low; Postprandial hypotension; Orthostatic hypotension; Neurally mediated hypotension; NMH

Causes
Blood pressure varies from one person to another. A drop of as little as 20 mmHg can cause problems for some people. There are different types and causes of low blood pressure.

Severe hypotension (shock) can be caused by sudden loss of blood (shock), severe infection, heart attack, or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Orthostatic hypotension means your blood pressure drops when you shift from lying down to standing. This type of low blood pressure usually lasts only a few seconds or minutes. If this type of low blood pressure occurs after eating, it is called postprandial orthostatic hypotension. This type most often affects older adults, those with high blood pressure, and people with Parkinson disease.

Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) most often affects young adults and children. It can occur when a person has been standing for a long time. Children usually outgrow this type of hypotension.

Certain medicines and substances can lead to low blood pressure, including:

Alcohol
Anti-anxiety medicines
Certain antidepressants
Diuretics
Heart medicines, including those used to treat high blood pressure and coronary heart disease
Medicines used for surgery
Painkillers
Other causes of low blood pressure include:

Nerve damage from diabetes or other disorders
Changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
Not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
Heart failure
Symptoms
Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:

Blurry vision
Confusion
Dizziness
Fainting (syncope)
Lightheadedness
Nausea or vomiting
Sleepiness
Weakness
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will examine you to determine the cause of your low blood pressure. Your vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure) will be checked frequently. You may need to stay in the hospital for a while.

The provider will ask questions, including:

What is your normal blood pressure?
What medicines 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 lightheaded when standing or sitting after lying down?
The following tests may be done:

Basic metabolic panel
Blood cultures to check for infection
Complete blood count (CBC), including white blood cell differential
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Urinalysis
X-ray of the abdomen
X-ray of the chest
Treatment
Lower than normal blood pressure in a healthy person that does not cause any symptoms often does not need treatment.

1. Hypotension A condition in which the f o rce of the blood against the artery walls is too l o w .

2. C a uses An e m i a . Dehydration . E n d o c r ine d i s o r ders . E x t r e me b l o o d l o s s . Heart d i sease . L o w b l o o d s u g a r . P r e g nancy . E a t ing .

3. S i g n s and symptoms B l u r r e d vision . C o l d , p a l e skin . Depressi o n . D i z z i n e ss , f a i n ting a n d n a u s ea . F a t i gue . P a l p i tation . R a p i d , s h a l l ow breathing . T h r i s t .

4. Diagnosis S p h y g m o m a n o m e t e r . B l o o d t e s t s . E C G . E cho cardiogram . S t r e s s t e s t . T i l t t a b l e t e s t .

5. T r e a tment D r i nk m o re w a t e r : - F l u i ds increases blood volume and help to prevent dehydration . W e a r c o m p r e s s ion s t o c kings : - The s a m e e l a s tic o f v a r i c ose veins may help reduce the pooling of blood in your legs . Medications : - F l u d r o c o r t i s o n e : - hel p s t o b o o s t y o u r b l o o d v olume , w h i c h r a i s e s b l ood pressure M i d o d r i n e : - M i d o d r i n e a c t i v a t e s r e c e p t o r s o n the s m a l l est a r t e r ies a n d v e i n s t o p r o d u c e a n i n c r e a s e i n the b l ood pressure .

6. D i e t E a t s m a ll p o r tions of food several times a day and limit high-carbohydrate foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. D r i nk more f l u i d s . Foods high i n vitamin B - 1 2 .

7. T y p e s of h y p o tension O r t h o s t a t i c h y p o t e n s i o n : - a l s o k n o wn as p o s t u r a l h y p o t e n s i o n , i s a form o f l o w blood pressure that occurs when you stand up f r om s i tting o r laying down . Neurall y mediated h y p o t e n s i o n : - Low b l o o d pressure f r o m f a u l t y b r a i n s i g n a l s . T h i s d i s o r d e r c a u s e s b l o o d pressure t o d r o p a f t e r standing for l o n g periods . S e v e r e h y p o t e n s i o n : -A systolic blood pressure of less than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or diastolic of less than 60 mm Hg is generally considered to be hypotension. Severely low blood pressure can deprive the brain and other vital organs of oxygen and nutrients, leading to a life-threatening condition called shock.

8. C o m p l i c a t i o n s repeated fainting spells. coma. stroke due to the reduced blood supply to the brain. cardiovascular diseases.

9. T h a nk you - N a m r a t a S h e n d g e