by What is Low Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels . Low blood pressure is an abnormal condition in which a person’s blood pressure (the pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels during and after each beat of the heart) is much lower than usual. It can cause symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness.
In many countries low blood pressure is regarded as a sign of excellent health, and it is certainly true that it is associated with a good outlook from the point of view of risks of strokes an heart attacks. In others, such as Germany, It is regarded as a disease responsible for symptoms of weakness and fatigue.
High blood pressure can also cause injury to the brain, the eyes ( retinopathy ) and/or the kidneys ( nephropathy ), where delicate arteries are damaged by the increased pressure.
What are the causes of Low Blood Pressure?
Low Blood Pressure is commonly caused by drugs such as:
- Medications used for surgery.
- Anti-anxiety agents.
- Treatment for high blood pressure or coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Diuretics.
- Heart medicines.
- Some antidepressants.
- Narcotic analgesics.
- Alcohol.
Other causes of Low Blood Pressure include:
- Dehydration.
- Heart failure.
- Heart attack.
- Changes in heart rhythm ( arrhythmia’s).
- Fainting.
- Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic response).
- Shock (from severe infection, stroke, anaphylaxis, major trauma, or heart attack).
- Advanced diabetes.
What are the symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?
Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:
- tiredness,
- general weakness,
- light-headedness and fainting,
- blurred vision,
- dizziness,
- palpitations,
- confusion,
- nausea,
- temporary loss of consciousness.
How Blood Pressure can be treated?
High blood pressure requires treatment and supervision by a doctor.
In cases where blood pressure is only slightly above normal, treatment may not be indicated. The doctor may simply periodically check your blood pressure to insure that it doesn’t go any higher.He/she may suggest lifestyle changes such as a low fat, low salt change in diet, a weight-loss program, an exercise program, quitting smoking and learning stress-reduction and relaxation techniques.
The physician may also include lifestyle changes as part of your treatment regime. If treatment becomes necessary, your doctor may prescribe drug therapy. Most people who need a blood pressure control drug require lifelong treatment. Therefore, you should never stop taking your medication simply because your high blood pressure has been controlled; consult your doctor first. In those few cases where a specific cause of high blood pressure (kidney disease, tumor, etc.) can be found, it’s sometimes possible to cure high blood pressure, but in most cases high blood pressure must be controlled throughout one’s lifetime.
