What is Hypotension?

It is that condition under which the blood pressure in relation to the walls of the arteries falls below standard. While hypertension makes the heart and the arteries work too hard, low blood pressure risks starving organs such as the brain, the heart, and the kidneys of blood. Sometimes, it still goes on to destroy organs unless one is treated.

There are certain forms of hypotension, e.g., orthostatic hypotension, i.e., on standing suddenly from recumbent position, and postprandial hypotension, i.e., post-lunch. Severe hypotension, if left untreated, may lead to shock and is injurious.

Some Common Symptoms of Hypotension

Based on the etiology and severity, Hypotension symptoms vary. The most common signs of hypotension are:

  • Dizziness or giddiness
  • Blurry vision
  • Weakness or tiredness
  • Confusion or lack of concentration
  • Nausea
  • Deep, rapid breathing
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Fainting attacks
Although mild hypotension goes unnoticed, frequent or chronic ones cannot be ignored.

Causes of Hypotension

The Causes of hypotension in different people is different. Although it presents episodically in some people due to dehydration, it needs to be tolerated by some as a chronic disorder. The most important causes are:

  • Dehydration: Dehydration entails a lessened water intake, leading to diminished blood volume-and hence blood-pressure levels-causing either dizziness, weakness, or complete loss of consciousness.
  • Heart problems: Pump failure through heart failure, valvular heart diseases, or bradycardia leads to an insufficient blood-pressure level.
  • Endocrine disorders: Such diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal insufficiency, and diabetes mellitus disturb the horomonal equilibrium ultimately leading to low blood-pressure levels.
  • Sepsis: In bacteremia or fungemia, blood pressure can go exquisitely low; there may be shock.
  • Blood loss: Either traumatic or surgical blood losses, which are dangerous in that they reduce circulating volume to a degree of hypotension.
  • Hypotensive drugs: Diuretics, antidepressants, and beta-blockers fall under the category of drugs that cause hypotension as a side effect.
  • Pregnancy: Endocrine changes caused by pregnancy are likely to produce an exceptionally greater fall in blood pressure, especially during the first and second trimesters.
  • Postprandial hypotension: Drop in blood pressure after meals is usually an age-related physiological phenomenon that most patients experience as dizziness or fainting.

Risk Factors of Hypotension

Hypotension occurs in any person non-discriminatorily, but susceptibility varies. Below are the risk factors for hypotension:

  • Age: The older the person, more susceptible, especially orthostatic and postprandial hypotension.
  • Pregnancy: Vasodilation is associated with low pressure.
  • Chronic illness: Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease.
  • Some drugs: Antidepressants, drug used in controlling hypertension, or diuretics.
  • Genetics: Certain individuals and families are genetically susceptible to low blood pressure.

Read More: High Blood Pressure - Hypertension


Untreated Hypotension Complications

Untreated Complications of hypotension are dangerous. Organs receive less oxygen due to the immediate fall in pressure. Risks can be:

  • Shock: Hypotension is the leading cause of potentially fatal shock.
  • Brain damage: Inadequate oxygenation causes confusion, syncope, or brain damage.
  • Organ failure: Kidney, liver, and heart fail due to less blood supply.
  • Falls and trauma: Syncope and dizziness are risk factors for accident, especially Hypotension in elderly patients.
Prompt attention and identification of hypotension are therefore essential.

What is Hypotension Diagnosis?

There are various approaches that doctors use to issue proper Hypotension diagnosis. They are:

  • Medical history: Doctors consider symptoms, activities of daily living, and medications as they attempt to determine possible causes of low blood pressure.
  • Physical examination: Heart rate, respiratory rate, and change of posture for pressure drop detection.
  • Blood test: identifies disease like anemia, diabetes, or endocrine disorder resulting in hypotension.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG): examines heart rhythms and electricity for any fault that leads to low blood pressure.
  • Echocardiogram: employs ultrasound scans to examine the heart structure and search for abnormality that resists circulation.
  • Tilt table test: examines for variation in blood pressure when upright, i.e., diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension.
Diagnosis allows to distinguish hypotension from hypertension and other suitable treatment.

Treatment of Hypotension

Hypotension treatment is etiology- and severity-dependent. A few receive life-style modification alone, while others receive medicines. The common treatment is:

  • Life-style changes: Replacement of salt (as advised by the doctor), fluid replacement, and avoidance of alcohol.
  • Compression stockings: Promote blood circulation and prevent venous pooling in the legs.
  • Drug: If there is inadequate life-style modification, doctors advise drugs with a pressor effect.
  • Treatment of avoidable diseases: Diabetes, thyroid disorder, or infection treatment.
  • Timing of food routine: Taking food with coordination as well as divided food to prevent postprandial hypotension.
The severe ones are treated by hospitalization, intravenous fluid, or emergency care.

Prevention Tips for Hypotension

Hypotension prevention of each case is impossible, but risk is minimized by healthy living. The most crucial prevention techniques from hypotension are:

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink water throughout the day. Low blood pressure is one of the most significant causes of dehydration.
  • Eat Nutritious Meals: Store foods that are high in vitamins B12, folate, and iron to prevent anemia-related hypotension.
  • Avoid Sudden Changes in Positions: Slowly get up to reduce the number of instances of orthostatic hypotension.
  • Exercise Every Day: Daily exercise improves circulation and maintains blood pressure.
  • Check Medication: On Medications causing hypotension, check other medications with your physician.
  • Manage Chronic Conditions: Regulate diabetes, cardiovascular illness, and endocrine imbalance to avoid alteration.
  • Implement Supportive Measures: Head-of-bed elevation and compression stockings can prove useful in elderly patients.
Pressure intensities could be regulated and complication avoided by doing so.

Conclusion

Hypotension is not always nefarious every time that it does happen, but chronic low blood pressure never should be underestimated since it kills. Bad hypotension to extreme organ damage, it certainly does need treatment. With correct diagnosis of hypotension, lifestyle modification, and therapy, the syndrome can be controlled in a majority of patients. Whether orthostatic hypotension, postprandial hypotension, or chronic, early intervention is tantamount to good long-term health.

Please book an appointment with the Best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.