What Causes Hypotension?

Blood pressure appears to be a measurement of the force that blood uses against the blood vessels. It is the force of blood circulating throughout the body. There should be two numbers in this measurement: systolic and diastolic. The systolic (top) number appears to be taken while the heart beats. The rest between beats may be when the diastolic (bottom) number is taken. A hypotension diagnosis should be reached if a patient's top reading is less than ninety or their bottom reading is less than sixty. Hypotension symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. Nausea, blurry vision, and clammy skin are also possible.

Patients may need several options for hypotension treatment. Natural remedies for hypotension may be appropriate for some patients, but not all. Low blood pressure pills appear to be a major method of treating this condition. The ultimate low blood pressure treatments seem to be based on the underlying cause. Some causes may allow individuals to try a supplement for low blood pressure.

Lack Of Nutrients

If individuals lack certain nutrients, they may experience hypotension. Examples include being deficient in vitamin B12, folate, and other B vitamins. Anemia seems to be a major risk for individuals who do not have enough folate or vitamin B12. This condition means that they cannot make enough red blood cells. Without enough red blood cells, individuals may experience reduced blood volume and lower blood pressure. Adults may need around four hundred micrograms of folate daily. They should find this nutrient in bananas, broccoli, beans, and peas.

Individuals should be getting 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 a day, on average. They will mostly find this vitamin in meat and animal products. However, this can make it hard for vegans and vegetarians to consume enough. This is why they may want to consider a vitamin B12 supplement to compensate. High dose supplements and injections can help treat nutritional deficiencies.

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Bradycardia

Bradycardia seems to refer to heart rates that are slower sixty beats per minute. Although slower heart rates may be safe for some individuals, such as athletes, they can cause issues. Slow heart rates may need treatment if they start causing symptoms or are the result of an underlying medical condition. Conditions that may cause a slow heart rate include hypothyroidism, heart disease, and lupus. Heart infections and sleep apnea may also be causes. Symptoms of bradycardia seem to include dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Chest pain, confusion, and fainting may also be signs.

Individuals may need several tests to reach a diagnosis. They may need to wear a Holter monitor for a few days. This monitor should help keep track of their heart's electrical activity and any abnormal events. An exercise test or tilt table test may also be employed to see how an individual's heart reacts to different conditions. Electrocardiograms also seem to be a popular diagnostic test for this condition. Treatments may include adjusting medication, inserting a pacemaker, or focusing on the underlying condition. Pacemakers require surgery, and they should help maintain a healthy heart rate with electrical impulses.

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Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar may sometimes cause a patient's blood pressure to drop. This condition seems to be if their glucose is below seventy milligrams per deciliter. Besides low blood pressure, patients may deal with other symptoms in the early stages of low blood sugar. These symptoms appear to include blurry vision, confusion, and heart palpitations. Patients may also feel weak, dizzy, and look pale. If their low blood sugar becomes severe, individuals may also experience irritability, anxiety, and coordination issues. Other possibilities are irrational behavior and personality shifts. Individuals should seek treatment for low blood sugar when early signs appear. They may drink juice or take a glucose tablet.

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Blood Loss

Individuals may face hypotension due to blood loss. Blood loss can happen due to an injury or accident. Anything that can make an individual bleed may trigger blood loss. This seems to happen both internally and externally. Individuals should spot external bleeding more easily since they can see it. However, patients may also want to know about the signs of internal bleeding. Swelling and pain in the abdomen seem to occur with bleeding in the liver or spleen. Bleeding in the brain may cause a loss of consciousness or seizures. In addition to low blood pressure, individuals dealing with blood loss may experience other symptoms. These symptoms may include feeling dizzy and lightheaded. Fainting seems to be possible too.

Significant blood loss can lead to shock. Symptoms of shock seem to include sweating, lethargy, weakness, and a rapid heart rate. Low blood pressure is likely going to appear as well. Patients may need to visit the hospital after an injury to prevent shock. Blood transfusions or intravenous fluids may be needed to treat shock and blood loss. These should help with hypotension too.

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Dehydration

Dehydration seems to appear when the body is not getting enough fluid. It may sometimes result in low blood pressure. Dehydration may occur due to not drinking enough water, excessive sweating, or a fever. Vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination may also put individuals at risk of becoming dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration seem to include feely dizzy, fatigue, confusion, and extreme thirst. Individuals may also have dark urine and not urinate as much.

Dehydration may lead to complications such as seizures, kidney failure, and urinary tract infections. Patients are also likely to have low blood volume and hypotension as well. Mild dehydration may be treated by drinking more water. However, severe cases may require intravenous fluids.