He or she will do a physical exam and may do other tests. Your doctor may check for another health problem that could be causing your low blood pressure. You will likely get treated for low blood pressure only if it is causing symptoms or if your blood pressure drops suddenly. Treatment depends on your symptoms, how severe they are, and the reasons for the low blood pressure. Be sure to talk with your doctor before you add more salt to your diet or make any changes in your medicines.
If you have orthostatic hypotension, your doctor may suggest that you try some simple ways to prevent symptoms like dizziness. For example, you can:. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, sit down or lie down for a few minutes. Or you can sit down and put your head between your knees. This will help your blood pressure go back to normal and help your symptoms go away.
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Topic Overview What is low blood pressure? The systolic higher number shows how hard the blood pushes when the heart is pumping. The diastolic lower number shows how hard the blood pushes between heartbeats, when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood.
What causes low blood pressure? Some of the causes of low blood pressure include: Getting up after you sit or lie down. This can cause a quick drop in blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension. Standing for a long time. Not drinking enough fluids dehydration. Staying hydrated can also help treat and prevent the symptoms of neurally mediated hypotension.
If you experience low blood pressure when standing for long periods, be sure to take a break to sit down. And try to reduce your stress levels to avoid emotional trauma. Treat orthostatic hypotension with slow, gradual movements. Instead of standing up quickly, work your way into a sitting or standing position using small movements. You can also avoid orthostatic hypotension by not crossing your legs when you sit. Shock-induced hypotension is the most serious form of the condition.
Severe hypotension must be treated immediately. Emergency personnel will give you fluids and possibly blood products to increase your blood pressure and stabilize your vital signs.
Most people can manage and prevent hypotension by understanding the condition and being educated about it. Learn your triggers and try to avoid them. If you have low blood pressure, you may want to consider changing your diet. Learn which foods to eat and what to avoid. Learn what your blood pressure reading means.
Checking your blood pressure at home with a manual or automated device can help you monitor your health between doctor visits. Official sodium recommendations have been controversial. This article explains the importance of sodium, potential risks of over- or underconsumption….
Low blood sodium, or hyponatremia, occurs when water and sodium are out of balance in your body. It can cause weakness, headache, nausea, and muscle…. Hair-grooming syncope is when you faint during hair grooming activities like combing, brushing, and cutting. Learn what causes this type of syncope…. Fainting happens when the amount of blood flow to your brain suddenly drops. This can happen for many reasons, some of which are preventable. Head rushes are caused by a rapid drop in your blood pressure when you stand up.
Most people experience occasional head rushes, and they generally…. Syncope is a loss of consciousness that happens due to a decrease in blood flow to your brain.
It is more commonly known as fainting, and can happen…. A simple blood test can tell your doctor if you have this condition. You may need medication and dietary changes to help boost your thyroid function. Elastic stockings or socks can help prevent blood from pooling in your legs.
This helps to relieve orthostatic or postural hypotension which is low blood pressure due to standing, laying down, or sitting too much. People who are on bed rest may need compression braces to help pump blood from the legs.
Orthostatic hypotension is more common in older adults. It happens to up to 11 percent of middle-aged people and 30 percent of older adults. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help treat low blood pressure. These drugs help to treat orthostatic hypotension:.
These include:. Some serious bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can cause low blood pressure. Your doctor can find out if you have an infection with a blood test. Treatment includes IV antibiotics and antiviral drugs. Low blood pressure may also be a sign of a health issue or emergency condition. Treatment may be necessary. Diagnosing and treating these conditions can help balance blood pressure.
Your doctor may recommend simple tests such as:. Some medications can cause low blood pressure. These include drugs to treat high blood pressure and other conditions, such as:. Drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs while taking medications, or combining certain medications can also lead to low blood pressure.
Shock is a life-threating condition. It can happen in response to a number of emergency conditions. Shock leads to low blood pressure, but low blood pressure can also cause your body to go into shock. Treatment may involve raising blood pressure by IV fluids or blood transfusions. For example, in anaphylactic shock , an injection of epinephrine EpiPen helps to quickly raise blood pressure.
This can be life-saving for someone having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, bee stings, or other allergens. High blood pressure is a major cause of stroke. However, some medical research shows that keeping blood pressure high immediately after a stroke may actually help prevent brain damage. This helps to reduce the risk of death and disability. The American Stroke Association advises keeping blood pressure higher than normal for up to 72 hours after a stroke. This may help to infuse the brain with blood better and help it recover from the stroke.
Some people have low blood pressure all the time. Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms. Keep a journal of your symptoms and what you were doing when they happened. This can help your doctor diagnose the cause of your low blood pressure. If you have orthostatic hypotension, avoid symptom triggers, such as standing too much. Also avoid other triggers such as emotionally upsetting situations. Learn to recognize triggers and symptoms. Put your head down or lay down if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
These symptoms usually pass quickly. Children and teens who have low blood pressure due to body position typically grow out of it. You may need simple changes to your daily diet to balance low blood pressure. Drink more water by using a portable water bottle.
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