A lot has been said and understood about high blood pressure, or hypertension. It is a serious medical condition in which people have a blood pressure above the normal level of 120/80 mmHg. If left unmanaged, it can have a detrimental impact on the heart health. About 207 million Indians suffer from this ailment, making the situation extremely serious. But what about low blood pressure, or hypotension? Why do people suffer from it? What are its symptoms? And, how can one attend to such an emergency? To get answers to these questions, Onlymyhealth spoke to Dr Vineeta Taneja - Director - Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.
What Is Low Blood Pressure, Or Hypotension?
“While we are commonly prescribing anti-hypertension pills to patients of high blood pressure, low blood pressure is troublesome in some patients,” said Dr Taneja. In such a situation, your blood pressure gets lower than 90/60 mmHg. Low blood pressure causes:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Severe weakness
Causes Behind Low Blood Pressure Or Hypotension
(Photo Credit: Freepik)
A low blood pressure can result from a range of medical conditions, from simple disorders to serious medical life-threatening emergencies. The causes include:
- Dehydration
- Pregnancy
- Anemia
- Excessive bleeding from any site
- Exposure to severe heat
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or fever
- Reaction to medicines
- Insect or snake bite
- Severe infections
- Heart problems
- Excessive blood pressure problems that haven’t been adjusted
Low Blood Pressure, Or Hypotension, Symptoms
The symptoms for low blood pressure include:
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Weakness
- Blurred vision
- Fainting
- Confusion
When someone suffers from a low blood pressure, he/she feels weakness and might
suddenly lose consciousness and can fall to the ground. During such a situation, the supply of oxygen to the body’s various organs also reduces, making you at risk of serious health issues.
How To Manage If Someone Suffers From Low Blood Pressure?
As you saw, several causes can result in a low blood pressure. If someone around you suffers from such a situation, rush him/her to a hospital immediately. The patient must undergo an emergency ECG and other health check-ups to rule out any serious medical complications.
Meanwhile, there are some first-aid tips you can employ in such a situation. It’s better to make the patient lie down with his/her legs supported with a pillow or anything. If he is conscious, you can give him something to drink and then rush the patient to a nearby hospital.
How To Prevent Low Blood Pressure, Or Hypotension?
There are ways to prevent low blood pressure, such as:
- “People with high blood pressure and heart problems should get regular health checks to get their doses adjusted,” recommends Dr Taneja.
- Also, avoid dehydration. Sip water throughout the day and if working outside, focus on your fluid intake. 7-8 glasses of water in a day is generally recommended.
- Also, do not ignore this condition. Instead, “get medical intervention before it becomes life-threatening,” the doctor recommends.
So, as you saw low blood pressure is as serious and concerning as high blood pressure. Hence, you must take all steps necessary to prevent it. However, if you suffer from it, prompt medical attention is what you need.
(With inputs from Dr Vineeta Taneja - Director - Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh)
Photo Credit: Freepik
