Majority of the time, what we see with people who come to check their blood pressure (BP) is "High BP" (Hypertension) especially when they have been diagnosed at one point and they begin to live in doubt, and so refuse, or afraid to check until symptoms begin to present.
People can also present with "Low BP" (Hypotension). Yes, you can have low BP that could be dangerous and poses a health risk. I have had to deal with this the past few days with about 3 Patients presenting with Low BP. Only one was aware of it. The others were not aware at all! Hence, the need to create this awareness on LOW BP (HYPOTENSION).
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LOW BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPOTENSION) happens when your blood pressure (BP) is lower than normal. This means that the heart, brain and other parts of the body do not get enough blood. BP reading lower than 90/60mmHg is generally considered low BP. This can be desirable for some people and may cause no problems. However, for many people, abnormally low BP can cause dizziness and fainting and can be life-threatening.
NB: any BP reading above 140/90 mmHg is High Blood Pressure.
SYMPTOMS OF LOW BP
Low BP could be a sign of an underlying Problem for some people Especially when it drops suddenly and its accompanied by signs and symptoms which include:
📌 Loss of consciousness
📌 Depression
📌 Cold, damp and sticky skin
📌 Fainting
📌 Dizziness or light headedness
📌 Nausea, fatigue, blurred vision
📌 Lack of concentration
📌 Shock (extremely low BP can cause this life-changing threatening Condition resulting in confusion, rapid and shallow breathing and pulse).
CAUSES OF LOW BP
Blood Pressure varies through out the day, depending on body position, physical condition, breathing rhythm, stress level, what you eat or drink, time of the day, physical condition, drugs you take. BP is usually lowest at night and goes up on waking. For some, it may be normal, for another it may be low.
BP is considered low most times if it's causing symptoms. Low BP is less than 90/60mmHg.
A sudden fall in your BP can be dangerous. For example, a change of just 20mmHg (110 mmHg to 90mmHg for the systolic BP) can cause dizziness and fainting, when the brain fails to receive enough blood. Higher drops in BP such as the ones caused by uncontrolled bleeding, severe infections or allergies can be life-threatening.
CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE LOW BP
Everyone's blood pressure drops at one point or the other and it often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Certain Conditions can cause prolonged periods of hypotension that can become dangerous if left untreated. These include:
Pregnancy: This is normal because the circulatory system expand during Pregnancy.
Heart Problems: Extremely limited heart rate, Heart valve Problems, heart attack, heart failure.
Endocrine: Parathyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, Addison's disease, low blood sugar, and in some cases high BP.
Dehydration: When your body looses more water than it takes, it can cause weakness, dizziness, and fatigue. Fever, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, over use of water pills (diuretics) and strenuous exercise can lead to dehydration.
Blood Loss: From major injury or internal bleeding, reduces the the amount of blood in your body, leading to severe drop in BP.
Severe Infection (Septicaemia): When an infection in the body enters the blood stream, it can lead to a life-threatening drop in BP called "Septic Shock".
Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis): Common triggers of this severe and potentially life-threatening reaction include foods,certain drugs, insect venoms and latex. Anaphylaxis can cause breathing problems, hives, itching, a swollen throat, and a dangerous drop in BP.
Lack of Nutrient in your diet: A lack of Vit B12, folate and iron can stop your body from producing enough rest blood cells (Anaemia) causing low BP.
DRUGS THAT CAN CAUSE LOW BP
📌 Water pills (diuretics)
📌 Drugs for Hypertension.
📌 Drugs for Parkinson's disease
📌 Anti Depressants
📌 Drugs for erectyle dysfunction (Viagra).
TYPES OF LOW BP (according to Causes)
1. LOW BP ON STANDING (POSTURAL OR ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION)
This is a sudden drop in BP when you stand up from a sitting position of after lying down causing dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision and even fainting. Pregnancy, Diabetes, Dehydration, prolonged bed rest, Heart problem s, burns, Excessive heat,large vericose vein and certain brain disorders can cause this.
2. LOW BP AFTER EATING (POST PANDRIAL HYPOTENSION):
Occurs 1-2 hours after eating in older adults because there is no blood flow to the digestive system after food as a result of reduced heart rate, causing dizziness, fainting, and falling.
3. LOW BP FROM FAULTY BRAIN SIGNAL (NEURALLY MEDIATED HYPOTENSION)
Causes a drop in BP after standing for long periods, mostly affects adults and young children due to a miscommunication between the heart and the brain.
4. LOW BP DUE TO NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE (SHY- DRAGER SYSTEM)
This is rare and has many Parkinson - like symptoms. It causes progressive damage to the Autonomic Nervous System, that controls involuntary actions such as breathing, digestion heart rate, heartbeat, associated with very high BP while lying down.
RISK FACTORS:
💧 AGE: (Postural and Post pandrial Low BP is common in adults older than 65, while Low BP from faulty brain signal affects Children and young adults).
💧 DRUGS (Antihypertensives)
💧 DISEASES (Diabetes, heart problems)
COMPLICATIONS:
Dizziness, weakness, fainting, injury from falls, severely low BP can deprive your body of enough oxygen to carry out it's functions, leading to damage in your heart and brain.
Low BP that causes inadequate flow of blood to the body organs which can cause Strokes, Heart attack, kidney failure, and the most severe form is Shock.
DIAGNOSIS:
📌 Blood Tests (for Anaemia, sugar level
📌 Electrocardiogram (ECG)
📌 BP Check
📌 Tilt Table Test (which evaluates how your body reacts to changes in position).
You lie on a table that is tilted to raise the upper part of your body, which stimulates the movement from horizontal to a standing position.
TREATMENT:
Does not require treatment if there are no symptoms or mild symptoms. If there are symptoms, treatment depends on cause e.g. if it's drugs, the drug is changed or discontinued or dose reduced.
If it's not clear what is causing it, the goal is to raise the BP and reduce signs and symptoms, this can be done in several ways depending on age, health and type of low BP.
📌 Use more salt (salt raises BP)
📌 Drink more water to increase blood volume and prevent dehydration.
📌 Wear compression stockings
📌 Medications are used too
HOME REMEDIES AND LIFESTYLE:
Exercise regularly. (30-60 mins per day that raises your heart rate and resistance. Exercise 2 or 3 days a week. Avoid exercise in hot humid Conditions)
Drink more water and less alcohol
Pay attention to your body position
Don't sit with your legs crossed. If you begin to get symptoms while standing, cross your thighs in a scissors fashion and squeeze or put one foot on a chair and lean as far forward as possible. These moves encourage blood flow from your legs to to your heart.
Eat small low canned-meals; small portions several times a day to prevent BP from dropping sharply after eating. You can drink 1 or 2 cups of caffeinated coffee.
Eat food high in Vitamin B12 (eggs, fortified cereals, animal meat, nutritional yeast).
Food high in folate (asparagus, beans, lentils, citrus fruits, leafy greens, egg, liver)
Salt (canned soup, smoked fish, cottage, cheese, Olives).
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