Low blood pressure, hypotension, is pressure so low it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. If blood pressure is too low not enough oxygen and nutrients are being delivered to the brain, heart, and kidney; these organs do not function properly and may be permanently damaged. Low blood pressure is diagnosed by signs and symptoms of low blood flow, not by blood pressure number. Individuals can have low blood pressure readings and not have low blood pressure. Individuals who normally have high blood pressure may develop symptoms of low blood pressure if their blood pressure drops. Individuals who have lower blood pressure also have a lower risk of stroke, kidney disease, and heart disease. People who exercise regularly, maintain ideal body weight, and do not smoke tend to have low blood pressures. Low blood pressure is desirable as long as it is not so low that it causes symptoms and damage to organs. Signs and symptoms of low blood pressure could be lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, heart attack, failure of the kidneys to eliminate waste from the body, and an increase in level of blood, and shock that can be life threatening where internal organs- brain, heart, lungs, liver and/or kidneys fail rapidly. Conditions that can reduce a person’s level or volume of blood; reduce the amount of blood pumped by the heart; and medications are the most common causes of low blood pressure. Dehydration from prolonged illnesses where nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea occur, and dehydration due to exercise, sweating, fever, heat exhaustion, heat stroke can cause low blood pressure. Severe dehydration can lead to shock, kidney failure, confusions, acidosis (too much acid in blood), coma, and death. Moderate or severe bleeding resulting from trauma, surgery complications, ulcers, and tumors, can also cause low blood pressure. Inflammation of internal organs, heart disease, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in a vein), and some medications can cause low blood pressure. |
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