Orthostatic hypotension linked to Cardiovascular disease
A study has found that a rapid drop in blood pressure, also known as Orthostatic hypotension, might lead to an undiagnosed cardiovascular disease.
Blood Pressure (BP) is the pressure applied by the blood on the arteries while the heart pumps blood. This pressure is described in two numbers, systolic BP, which is the pressure while your heart beats or contracts, and diastolic BP, which is the pressure while your heart relaxes between two beats.
Low BP is medically known as hypotension. Technically, you are said to have low BP when your systolic pressure (upper reading) falls below 120 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure (lower reading) is less than 80 mmHg. However, according to doctors’ systolic pressure of 90 mmHg or a lower and diastolic pressure of 60 mmHg or lower characterize low BP. If your BP falls below these levels, it may restrict blood flow to the brain and other vital organs, leading to various health complications.
There is no lower limit for low BP that is not healthy. Few individuals have low BP all the time, which is completely normal, while some might experience a sudden decrease in BP. Body position and various organs, hormones, and nerves play an important role in regulating BP. When an individual moves from a resting position to a standing position, a larger blood volume is displaced to the legs and abdominal area, which can affect BP. However, most of the time, various bodily systems’ rapid actions adapt to the changes and restores BP to normal.
Low BP can be a temporary or long-lasting condition. Here are the main types of low BP:
Many individuals do not experience any symptoms of low BP. However, some may experience several symptoms. The common signs and symptoms you may experience if suffering from low BP are:
Causes
Some of the common causes of low BP are:
Apart from medication and other pharmacological ways to treat hypotension, you can try these expert tips to prevent low BP in future:
The only way to know whether you have low BP is to get it measured. The physician will measure your BP with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. The normal BP reading is 120/80 mmHg. In some cases, individuals recover rapidly from a sudden drop in BP, making it difficult for a doctor to record with regular BP monitors. The doctor may also check body temperature, pulse rate, and breathing rate, which are vital signs for low BP. The doctor may ask the patient about their normal BP, current medications, current diet, recent illness, injury and accident, and symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, or light-headedness. The doctor will conduct several tests like basic metabolic panel, blood tests to check infection, complete blood count, stress test, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (ECG), urine test, and X-ray of abdomen and chest.
Low BP in healthy individuals may not require treatment, but if it is associated with any other disorder, your doctor will address that condition as the first line of treatment. If ongoing medication is a cause for the low BP, the doctor may suggest reducing the medicines’ doses or changing the prescription. The doctor may prescribe drugs for low BP. Severe low BP caused by shock can be treated by:
In general, you can raise your BP to normal levels by:
Prognosis
Usually, doctors can successfully treat low BP in patients. Drugs like fludrocortisone may worsen certain infections and cause difficulty sleeping, dizziness, and stomach problems. Midodrine may cause a tingling sensation, numbness, itching, goosebumps, and chills. However, if treated and monitored properly, low BP will not cause any serious health effects. Also, most of the patients learn to control low BP with lifestyle changes.
Complications
The risk of falling is increased in patients with orthostatic hypotension. Low BP in older adults can lead to falls which may ultimately cause broken bones or fractures. Just like any other disease, if low BP is not treated in time it can cause complications. A severe drop in BP can lead to an insufficient supply of oxygen in the body. Long term damage to the brain, heart and other organs can occur if low BP is severe and untreated. Hypotension in pregnancy can cause complications such as stillbirth.
There are alternative therapies to normalize your BP such as:
A study has found that a rapid drop in blood pressure, also known as Orthostatic hypotension, might lead to an undiagnosed cardiovascular disease.
Turns out, adapting lifestyle habits can quickly lower blood pressure.
Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes have overtaken communicable diseases as the leading causes of mortality in urban areas, as per a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report.
Instituted by the World Hypertension League (WHL) in 2005, each year World Hypertension Day is celebrated on May 17 to increase the awareness of Hypertension and related disease.
Here are 2 recipes by renowned nutritionist for beating the summer heat along with taking care of nutrition!
Coconut Milk is loaded with minerals and provides plenty of minerals to our system.
Sleep terrors may require medical intervention in case the sufferer doesn't get enough sleep and as a result gets fatigued, or they pose a risk to themselves or their surroundings due to aggressive fits.
The Amar Gandhi Foundation started a campaign 'Ek Chammach Kam' on the eve of 'World Kidney Day' in March this year.
Ankita Ghag, Clinical nutritionist, Vacchan Aarogya and InBody, lists out some teas to help you tackle various ailments
Maintain a healthy routine and a healthy exercise regime.
A new study has discovered the genetic cause of a rare high blood pressure syndrome.
The study that looked at the electronic medical records of 46,634 citizens.
Do you know severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can lead to hypotension?
Incorporating these postures in your yoga practice will heal even those health problems that you didn't know you had.
Do you often feel dizzy, light headed when you stand up after sitting for a long time? Here are some tips to prevent low BP
Dealing with low blood pressure can get easier with these helpful diet tips.
Here is what you should take when you have low blood pressure.
A diet high in nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and low in red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and sodium may not only lower blood pressure but also reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, says a study.
A study has found that a rapid drop in blood pressure, also known as Orthostatic hypotension, might lead to an undiagnosed cardiovascular disease.
Turns out, adapting lifestyle habits can quickly lower blood pressure.
Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes have overtaken communicable diseases as the leading causes of mortality in urban areas, as per a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report.
Instituted by the World Hypertension League (WHL) in 2005, each year World Hypertension Day is celebrated on May 17 to increase the awareness of Hypertension and related disease.
Here are 2 recipes by renowned nutritionist for beating the summer heat along with taking care of nutrition!
Coconut Milk is loaded with minerals and provides plenty of minerals to our system.
Sleep terrors may require medical intervention in case the sufferer doesn't get enough sleep and as a result gets fatigued, or they pose a risk to themselves or their surroundings due to aggressive fits.
The Amar Gandhi Foundation started a campaign 'Ek Chammach Kam' on the eve of 'World Kidney Day' in March this year.
Ankita Ghag, Clinical nutritionist, Vacchan Aarogya and InBody, lists out some teas to help you tackle various ailments
Maintain a healthy routine and a healthy exercise regime.
A new study has discovered the genetic cause of a rare high blood pressure syndrome.
The study that looked at the electronic medical records of 46,634 citizens.
Do you know severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can lead to hypotension?
Incorporating these postures in your yoga practice will heal even those health problems that you didn't know you had.
Do you often feel dizzy, light headed when you stand up after sitting for a long time? Here are some tips to prevent low BP
Dealing with low blood pressure can get easier with these helpful diet tips.
Here is what you should take when you have low blood pressure.
A diet high in nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and low in red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and sodium may not only lower blood pressure but also reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, says a study.
Did you know that low blood pressure, convulsion and excessive fatigue could be a sign of internal bleeding?
Low blood pressure is not just about dizziness, but much more.