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Low blood pressure is also known as hypotension. People with readings of about 90/60, or less, generally considered to have low blood pressure. Brought to you by NHS Choices
Your heart pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system consisting of tubes called arteries and capillaries. Blood flow back to your heart through a blood vessel network.
When your heart contracts (squeezing) that pushes blood into the arteries, which causes an increase in pressure. At this stage, the pressure in your arteries is at its highest point, and is known as systolic pressure. When your heart relaxes and refills with blood, the pressure in your arteries decreases. This is known as the diastolic pressure. Both systolic and diastolic pressure you measured in terms of millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Throughout the day, blood pressure can vary between 30-40 mmHg (both systolic and diastolic) depending on what you're doing. When you sleep or relax your blood pressure will be at its lowest point. When you exercise, or you're stressed or anxious, your blood pressure will rise. Therefore, every time you have to measure blood pressure, it is important that the test is carried out under the same conditions so that the results are consistent.
The highest and lowest
For a young, healthy adult, a normal blood pressure is around 110/70, but generally, the lower your blood pressure, the better. If you have a reading of 140/90 or higher, you have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. If your blood pressure is high, your doctor can give you advice on how to lower it by making some simple lifestyle changes, such as changing your diet, stopping smoking, and exercising regularly. Or, you may be prescribed medications that will help to reduce your blood pressure.
Low blood pressure is also known as hypotension. People with readings of about 90/60, or less, generally considered to have low blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure, you have (to a certain degree) protection of the factors that increase blood pressure, such as eating too much salt, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, or overweight. However, some people who have low blood pressure may experience symptoms, and there may be an underlying cause.
On its own, low blood pressure does not always cause symptoms. If you have low blood pressure, and do not have any symptoms, you do not need treatment. However, sometimes if your blood pressure is too low, there is probably not enough blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as dizziness and fainting. If you do, your doctor will try to find out whether there is an underlying cause for your symptoms
As well as dizziness and fainting, other symptoms of hypotension may include :.
postural or orthostatic hypotension
You may feel dizzy or faint, after changing posture - for example, when you sit up from a lying down, or standing up from a sitting position. However, a decrease in blood pressure is usually only lasts for a few minutes due to adjust to your new posture. This is known as postural or orthostatic hypotension, and can affect you more as you get older. The same symptoms can also occur after exercise.
Postprandial hypotension
Headache, dizziness, fainting and falls are symptoms that can sometimes occur after a meal, as a result of low blood pressure. This condition, known as postprandial hypotension, tend to occur more often in the elderly, especially in those who have high blood pressure, or conditions such as Parkinson's disease or diabetes.
After the meal, intestinal need a large amount of blood for digestion, and increased heart rate, and blood vessels in other parts of the body constrict (narrow down) to help maintain blood pressure. However, the heart rate of some parents may not increase sufficiently, and blood vessel constriction they may not be enough to maintain blood pressure. As a result, their blood pressure drops. Lying down after a meal, and eat frequent, small, low-carbohydrate diet can help to reduce the effects of postprandial hypotension.
There are several things that can cause low blood pressure. They include:
pre Bloodssure lowering drugs
Currently, most of the blood pressure lowering drugs do not cause a decrease in blood pressure when you stand up. Alpha-blockers, such as doxazosin, is the only type of drug that can cause a drop in blood pressure your stand. You should have your blood pressure checked up if you take doxazosin and you feel dizzy or faint when you stand up.
In the past, it was thought that low blood pressure can cause fatigue, depression and anxiety. However, recent studies have found strong evidence to suggest that low blood pressure causing these symptoms.
adrenal gland failure
The adrenal glands are two small glands located just above your kidneys. They produce a number of hormones, including aldosterone, which controls the amount of salt in your body. If your adrenal glands become damaged, aldosterone production can be reduced, resulting in loss of salt from your body. This can cause low blood pressure, and can make you feel dizzy or faint when you stand up too quickly. The failure of the adrenal glands are rare, but, if diagnosed, can be treated by increasing the amount of aldosterone.
Blood pressure is measured using the first two numbers is known as systolic (the pressure in your arteries when your contract the heart and boost blood throughout your body), and the second is known as the diastolic (the pressure in your arteries when refills heart with blood between heartbeats). Both systolic and diastolic pressure you measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Your GP or practice nurse will use a rubber cuff to measure your blood pressure. cuff placed around the upper arm and rose. Your GP or practice nurse will watch and listen to a pressure gauge blood flow in the main artery of your arm, using a stethoscope. After hearing the heartbeat, systolic blood pressure will be recorded, and when the sound disappears, the diastolic pressure will be recorded. Alternatively, a digital blood pressure machine can be used to take readings automatically.
Once you have your blood pressure taken, the doctor or nurse will give your systolic reading first, followed by your diastolic readings. If your systolic blood pressure is 120 mmHg and your diastolic blood pressure is 80 mmHg, you will be told that your blood pressure is 120 over 80, which is commonly written as 120/80.
Your blood pressure can be measured both when you lie down and when you stand up. If you have high blood pressure or low and you take medication, you should have your blood pressure checked regularly.
If you have low blood pressure, but not have any symptoms, you do not need treatment. Only a small number of people who have low blood pressure are prescribed drugs to treat the condition. For example, some older people may experience symptoms when changing posture, and sometimes given drugs to constriction (narrowing) of their arteries.
The drugs that pressure causes low blood
If you are taking medication and suspects GP you that it may cause low blood pressure, s / he may recommend a change in medication or change the dose. If you are taking blood pressure lowering medications, such as alpha-blocker, doxazosin, and you feel dizzy or faint when you stand up, you should have your blood pressure measured to see if the drops. If not, you may need to have your medication changed. You should discuss this with your doctor or practice nurse.
illness or underlying condition
If the accused doctor that disorders such as heart disease, failure of the adrenal glands, or nerve condition, which causes low blood pressure, you may be referred to hospital for further examination and treatment. If the failure of the adrenal gland is the cause of your low blood pressure, replacing the missing hormone, aldosterone, will fix the problem. If the nerve condition causing low blood pressure, can be more difficult to treat. You may be given drugs to stimulate your nervous system.
The salt and fluid
While people who have high blood pressure are usually advised to limit their salt intake, if you have low blood pressure, you may be advised to put more salt in your diet. If you have a postural (orthostatic) hypotension, you may be advised to increase your salt intake, either by adding more salt to your food, or by using salt tablets. Your GP will be able to advise youabout how much extra salt you need. Also, if you are dehydrated, make sure that you drink enough fluids (at least eight glasses a day) will help.
Another treatment
If you have low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend wearing support stockings to help stimulate your circulation, or use some pillows to elevate your head while sleeping.
If you have low blood pressure, and it is part of the make your genetic makeup, you're in luck because it means that, to a certain degree you have some natural protection against the factors that lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).
elderly people, especially those with diabetes, may have a tendency for their blood pressure dropped when standing, and blood pressure-lowering drugs can make this worse. However, get up slowly will help you to avoid a sudden fall in blood pressure. When you wake up, you have to sit up slowly first, before getting up slowly.
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