Low Blood Pressure is Equally as Fatal as Hypertension
Blood pressure is the force that blood puts on the artery walls. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80. Any reading above this is considered hypertension. Hypertension is referred to as the “silent killer” as it can practically creep up on a person without having any knowledge of the progressing condition within them. In order to lower blood pressure, most individuals are prescribed medication. Sometimes, medication causes the blood pressure to decrease drastically. This too is a life threatening condition. A blood pressure that indicates a diastolic reading of less than 60 and a systolic reading of less than 90 is referred to as hypotension, or low blood pressure. While hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease, hypotension too has its risks and can put a person into a coma.
Defining Hypotension
Blood pressure regulates to ensure oxygen gets to all organs. When blood pressure is low, the organs are deprived of oxygen. This causes problems as the organs are unable to function normally. There are three types of hypotension. These are orthostatic hypotension, neurally mediated hypotension and severe hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs due to the sudden shifting of the body’s position. For example, if a person who stands up at once from lying down experiences dizziness, this is due to orthostatic hypotension. The symptom of orthostatic hypotension lasts for only a few seconds. Neurally mediated hypotension commonly occurs in young adults and children. Prolonged periods of upright posture, immediately after exercise, being in a warm environment and emotional stress can cause symptoms of neurally mediated hypotension.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
There are several reasons for low blood pressure. For example, dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea causes a drop in blood pressure. The volume of fluid lost due to vomiting and diarrhea has to be put back into the body through fluid intake. Blood pressure drops when adequate volumes of fluid do not enter the body. This reduces the volume of blood pumped into the heart, thereby causing hypotension. Dehydration through strenuous exercise, sweating, exhaustion also leads to symptoms of low blood pressure. Excessive bleeding resulting from trauma and surgical complications can also decrease blood pressure levels. In addition, heart problems such as slow or excessively fast heart rate, weak heart muscles and pulmonary embolisms also affect blood pressure levels negatively. Some medications too may cause a severe drop in blood pressure. Medications such as calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics and antidepressants all can drastically reduce blood pressure levels and must be taken only under strict medical guidance.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
The heart’s inability to deliver blood and oxygen to the organs damages the organs. This means they do not work in the proper manner. The inability of the organs’ functions causes symptoms of low blood pressure. These include dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, confusion, light-headedness, weakness and sleepiness. Chest pain (angina) may develop as a symptom of low blood pressure when the coronary arteries are not supplied with sufficient blood. The kidneys will not flush waste from the body in the proper manner, thereby causing damage to the kidneys. Untreated low blood pressure leads to shock. This is a life-threatening condition and will severely damage the organs in the body if the pressure levels are not restored immediately.
Diagnosing and Treating Low Blood Pressure
Diagnosis of low blood pressure depends on the symptoms. A doctor may question the frequency of symptoms of low blood pressure and will do a pressure check. The pressure check requires the patient to lie down and stand up when taking the reading. Once it is established that the person is suffering from hypotension, the doctor will look into the cause of hypotension. A complete blood count (CDC), blood and urine cultures, blood electrolyte measurements, cortisol levels and echocardiograms are tests used to diagnose the cause of hypotension. Treatment of hypotension depends on the cause. For example, if the patient is taking any medication causing the low blood pressure, the doctor may reduce the strength of the medication or stop it completely.
Low blood pressure requires treatment just as critically as hypertension. Therefore, any person experiencing symptoms of low blood pressure, especially on a continued basis, must obtain medical advice without fail.