Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is often overlooked compared to high blood pressure (hypertension), which is talked about more frequently.

However, low blood pressure can be just as dangerous as high blood pressure and lead to serious health issues if left untreated.

Are you suffering from low blood pressure and want to know more about dealing with it?

In this blog, Karetrip will be discussing the importance of dealing with low blood pressure — a global threat.

Definition of Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is officially known as a reading with numbers 90/60 mm Hg or lower, or mean arterial pressure below 65 mm Hg.

The standard reading for normal blood pressure is actually 120/80.

During acute situations, hypotensive shock can arise as a possibility which is considered quite serious and life-threatening.

There are two primary mechanisms that help in regulating the blood pressure: cardiac output and total peripheral vascular resistance.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

The symptoms of low blood pressure can vary from mild to severe. What is considered to be low blood pressure for one might not be the same for another person.

When blood pressure drops, some parts of your body don't get enough blood or oxygen. The body reacts to make up for it by increasing the heartbeat or constricting the blood vessels. Hypotension symptoms occur when the body cannot offset the drop in your blood pressure.

Hypotension is most commonly asymptomatic. It can sometimes not exhibit any noticeable or other times show some symptoms. However, if symptoms become apparent, the most common is lightheadedness or dizziness.

Below are some other general symptoms of low blood pressure.

• Fainting or syncope

• Blurred or fading vision

• Fatigue or weakness

• Dysuria

• Fever etc

Extreme low blood pressure can cause a condition called shock. Their symptoms can include:

• Confusion, especially in older people

• Cold, clammy skin

• Decrease in skin coloration (pallor)

• Rapid, shallow breathing

• Weak and rapid pulse

Types of Low Blood Pressure

There are many types of hypotension. It is important to find out the right cause to administer the right treatment. Low blood pressure can be classified as below

1. Orthostatic hypotension (Postural hypotension)

It is a form of low blood pressure that happens when standing up after sitting or lying down. It occurs due to a change in posture, hence called postural hypotension.

Symptoms: Dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting, blurry vision, weakness, confusion

Causes: Dehydration, heart problems, endocrine problems, nervous system disorders

Complications: Falls, stroke, cardiovascular diseases

Orthostatic hypotension can be further classified into two types. They are occasional and chronic orthostatic hypotension.

• Occasional orthostatic hypotension occurs due to an obvious reason and occurs occasionally. It can be can be easily treated

• Chronic orthostatic hypotension is usually serious and can be a sign of another health condition. Its treatment depends upon the cause. If there is a loss of consciousness, even for a few seconds, it is recommended to see a doctor.

2. Postprandial hypotension

It is low blood pressure after having a meal.

Symptoms: Dizziness, nausea, angina pectoris, weakness, falls, black spots in the visual field, syncope, light-headedness.

Risk Factors: High blood pressure, old age,diabetes, autonomic nervous system disease like parkinson’s disease.

Management: Eat low-carbohydrate meals, drink more water, avoid alcohol.

3. Neurally mediated hypotension

Some people, especially younger adults show dropping or pressure by standing for longer periods.

This occurs due to the unnatural reflex between brain and the body.

Symptoms: Dizziness, left-side chest pain, visual changes, blackouts, weakness, slow verbal response, pallor(decrease in skin coloration) , immediate urge to lie down, syncope.

Causes: sudden unexpected sight, sound, smell or pain, prolonged standing in crowded and/or hot places, pressure on the carotid sinus (head rotation, shaving, tight collar)

4. Multiple system atrophy with orthostatic hypotension (Shy-Drager syndrome / Parkinson plus syndrome)

This is a rare disorder that affects the nervous system and involuntary functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and digestion.

Blood pressure is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves are responsible for increasing and decreasing blood pressure respectively. Any failures in these nerve mechanisms can cause pressure variations.

These types of hypotension also show high blood pressure symptoms when lying down.

Symptoms: Rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness in movements, such as taking more time to stand up, slower expressions or movements), syncope, urinary incontinence, impotence, constipation, fecal incontinence, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness, double vision.

Managing Low Blood Pressure

Asymptomatic hypotension should not receive drastic interventions. However, if symptoms are present, the treatment of hypotension should focus on reversing the underlying causes.

• Differential Diagnosis: Benign hypotension, distributive shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, obstructive shock, combined-type hypotensive shock

• General Strategies for management

• Increase fluid intake

• Reduce the amount of salt in your diet to avoid fluid retention

• Stress Reduction

• Healthy Lifestyle

• Avoid using Mobile phones while lying down. Ensure to use mobile time for shorter periods and don’t bow down your heads longer and continuously for using them.

• Take medication in time

• Wear Compression stockings

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension can occur due to a wide range of reasons. They include:

• Dehydration

• Depression

• Low blood volume

• Pregnancy

• Extreme temperatures and altitudes

• Life-threatening conditions such as arrhythmias, pulmonary embolism.

• Heart conditions

  1.Abnormal heart beats (bradycardia)

  2 Heart valve problems

  3.Heart attacks and failures

• Endocrine problems

  1.Underactive thyroid

  2.Diabetes

  3.Addison's disease

• Certain medications

1.High blood pressure medication like diuretics

2.Heart medication like beta blockers

3.Tricyclic antidepressants

4.Erectile dysfunction drugs

5.Narcotics

• Nutritional Deficiency

Deficiency in B12 and folic acid causes anemia and hypotension

Diagnosis of Low Blood Pressure

Diagnosing a hypotension itself is very easy. Taking your blood pressure is all you need to do.

But recognising the causes and classifying the type requires many test and lab procedures. It includes:

• Lab testing

• Imaging

• ECG

• Tilt Testing (helps in diagnosing orthostatic hypotension)

Global Impact or Threats of Hypotension

The threats of hypotension often go unrecognized. The hypotension has significant implications on one’s health, especially for older people.

Sudden drop in pressure can cause a condition where the body lacks enough oxygen to function properly. The lack of oxygen in the brain can cause dizziness or lightheadedness.

In longer periods it can cause damage to the heart, brain and other organs. Or if there is a sudden and huge drop in blood pressure it can cause several allergic reactions, infections and bleeding.

If these conditions are not treated effectively and promptly they can cause organ failures and ultimately to death.

Threats of low blood pressure includes:

• Morbidity and Mortality

1. Shock can cause organ failure and are life-threatening

2. Falls and injuries, especially elderly and pregnant ladies are vulnerable to complications from falling.

• Deteriorated Health

1. Chronic hypotension can affect cardiovascular health. The heart has to work harder to pump blood causing it to tire out easily. It can cause heart failures.

2. The memory and cognitive ability depletes if there is no sufficient blood and oxygen supply to the brain. These can cause diseases like dementia.

• Inhibit Daily Life

1. Dizziness and fatigue affects our daily lives including driving, cooking and our overall well being.

2. Mental Health can be affected by the often stressful body and chronic hypotension symptoms.

• Economic impacts

1. Healthcare Costs

2. Work Productivity Loss

Global Burden of Low Blood pressure

1. Under diagnosis

Low blood pressure is often ignored and not treated properly.

1. Aging Population

Cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders increases in older people making them prone to low blood pressure

3.Diabetes

Diabetes is now a common disease and hypotension is common in people with diabetes

4.Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases like parkinson’s syndrome can cause low blood pressure

Low Blood pressure or hypotension is a very common condition. Prevention and management are the best treatments for hypotension.

Managing hypotension requires a comprehensive plan to address underlying conditions. Treating a wrong cause can cause fatal complications.

Low blood pressure is usually overlooked but can cause fatal outcomes such as organ failure or even death. Falls contribute to most of the injuries caused by low blood pressure.

Hypotension or low blood pressure can cause severe complications and reduce the quality of life.

Hence hypotension is a common disease, but if not managed properly it can be a greater threat to the world.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned, please consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.