Low blood pressure (hypotension): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

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 blood pressure
When you speak of low blood pressure? If you have symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue and fainting or if the upper and lower pressure under certain values? When is low blood pressure dangerous? And there is a treatment for low blood pressure? Doctor Wim Weijers provides answers to frequently asked questions.
What exactly is a low blood pressure?

There is no single definition for low blood pressure (hypotension). Actually, it is a healthy low blood pressure, provided that it is not a symptom of an underlying serious problem, for example, blood loss. In a number of people is to have a low blood pressure physiologically. That is to say that their blood pressure is always on the low side. There are doctors who only talk about low blood pressure when symptoms are present, for example, dizziness, fatigue and fainting. Others talk about low blood pressure when the upper and lower pressure on certain values: men <110/70 and in women <100/60.

What is actually above pressure and under pressure?

The top pressure is the pressure at which the heart pumps the blood in the vessels. The under-pressure is the pressure at the moment when the heart relaxes again and fills with blood.
How many people in the Netherlands have low blood pressure?

It is difficult to give exact figures on here. From a lot of people, it will not be aware that they have a blood pressure under the above-mentioned values. Moreover, there is, as I said, no clear definition of low blood pressure. It may vary by doctor what they mean by low blood pressure. Added to that unexplained symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue often occur, which are not found very obvious abnormalities. In some cases, it is then found that a low blood pressure, in which the symptoms could be known. But here is whether you actually diagnosed with low blood pressure ?? ?? can ask.
How is low blood pressure?

With a sphygmomanometer. Often it by chance is found if for no other reason, the blood pressure is measured, for example, in an inspection. This will have no consequences. Sometimes targeted blood pressure measured by complaints of dizziness and fainting.

What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?

Sometimes it can be serious problems rise to low blood pressure. The symptoms associated with these problems, then stand in the foreground for example fluid loss in burns, blood loss, cardiac arrhythmia. If symptoms reason for the decrease in blood pressure, there is a serious situation. Usually, low blood pressure will give no complaints. Complaints that can occur include dizziness, seeing stars, fainting and fatigue symptoms.
These symptoms can also be confused with other diseases?

The symptoms are not specific and may also occur in other conditions. It is also about problems which are not always found an explanation.

Are there circumstances that aggravate symptoms?

There are certain situations where there may be aggravated. For example, orthostatic hypotension, with fast rise hits the corrective mechanism to raise blood pressure just short: you are dizzy and may even faint. Furthermore, you have postprandial hypotension sometimes occurs in the elderly. This creates a temporary drop in blood pressure after meals.

What are possible causes of low blood pressure?

Often, a low blood physiological and has no specific consequences. A transient decrease in blood pressure may occur with fainting. To put some reason the arteries. Blood collects in the veins, the short-term brains get less blood and your short-term loses consciousness.
Low blood pressure can also be a symptom of a life-threatening situation (shock) where there is a shortage of circulating blood volume. Causes include: severe heart problems and dehydration. Dehydration can occur after losing a lot of fluid and salts caused by, for example, heavy perspiration (sweat), very high fever, blood loss, dehydration by burns, severe diarrhea, certain medications or extreme heat.
What are the risks ?? s of low blood pressure?

At low blood pressure caused by an underlying problem (shock) a life-threatening situation, the causes can be tackled otherwise should. In a more innocent blood pressure is low risk by fall in the incidence of injuries. A low blood pressure protects the blood vessels.

Are there any remedies for low blood pressure?

When fainting you should leave the person and legs hold up. Low blood pressure by shock is life-threatening, so ?? in one case, patients should be halted transfusion and dehydration. At low blood pressure and regular symptoms of dizziness and fainting drugs can be given which raise the blood pressure. However, these drugs are prescribed little.

What can you do in everyday life to reduce symptoms of physiological low blood pressure?

Make sure you get enough sleep. Limit consumption of caffeinated beverages. Drink plenty of water, especially in hot weather or when you have a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Exercise regularly. Do not stand up too quickly. Do not stay too long in the sauna ?? s or hot baths. not overweight and eat a rest after eating.