Causes and Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

Causes and Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

It is often difficult to find the exact cause of hypotension.(4^✔)

• The risk of low blood pressure increases with age.
• Pregnancy
• There is rapid expansion of a woman's circulatory system during pregnancy. Hence her blood pressure may drop. This is normal. Blood pressure will return to the pre-pregnancy values after childbirth.
• Hormonal problems
• Endocrine problems like an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), adrenal insufficiency (addison's disease) may lead to low blood pressures.

• Disease of the heart
• Heart failure, rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmia) and other conditions that do not allow the heart to pump adequate blood lead to hypotension.
• Medications
• A number of drugs can cause low blood pressure: The blood pressure pills, i.e. antihypertensive drugs, anti-anxiety medications, some pain killers, antidepressants, drugs for Parkinson's disease, sedative-hypnotics, Sildenafil (Viagra) especially when combined with a heart medication-nitroglycerine.
• Alcohol intake
• Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
• Lack of sufficient nutrients in diet
• Lack of vitamins B-12 and folate lead to anaemia and cause low blood pressure
• Liver disease

Causes of a sudden fall in blood pressure

A sudden fall in blood pressure is dangerous. Causes may include:

• Loss of blood from bleeding
• Failure of the heart
• Severe infection (septicemia)
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Severe dehydration: This often follows vomiting, diarrhoea or fever.

Symptoms & Signs of Low Blood Pressure or Hypotension

Light-headedness or dizziness may be called the cardinal symptom of hypotension. Others are:(2^✔)

• Fainting (syncope)
• Confusion
• Blurring of vision
• Nausea
• Cold, clammy, pale skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Thirst

References:

1. What is low blood pressure? - (http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Whatislow)
2. Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) - (https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abg6277 )
3. What Is Low Blood Pressure/Hypotension? - (https://www.narayanahealth.org/low-blood-pressure/)
4. Low Blood Pressure - When Blood Pressure Is Too Low - (https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure/low-blood-pressure-when-blood-pressure-is-too-low)
5. Blood Pressure (low) - Hypotension - (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blood-pressure-low-hypotension)
6. What Causes Low Blood Pressure and What are Low Blood Pressure Symptoms? - (https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/low-blood-pressure)