- 1. Dehydration
- 2. Deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid
- 3. Use of some medicines
- 4. Hormonal changes
- 5. Internal bleeding
- 6. Heart problems
- 7. Serious infection
- When to go to the doctor
Low blood pressure is not usually caused by health problems, it is a common feature in some people and generally does not pose health risks. However, when it appears suddenly or is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fainting or tiredness it can indicate a more serious problem, such as dehydration, infection or heart problems.
Generally, blood pressure is considered low when it is less than 90x60 mmHg, with no minimum pressure limit, as long as the person has always had low blood pressure.
1. Dehydration
Dehydration happens when the body is losing more water than it was ingested and, therefore, the blood vessels have less blood inside, which ends up lowering blood pressure and causing symptoms such as weakness, feeling of fainting and tiredness. Dehydration is more common in the elderly or children, especially during the summer, or in people who use diuretics without medical advice.
What to do: Rehydration must be done with homemade serum to ingest the water that is missing in the body along with minerals, however, if dehydration is severe, you should go to the hospital, as it may be necessary to receive serum directly at vein. See better what to do in case of dehydration.
2. Deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid
Vitamin B12 and folic acid are two very important vitamins for the formation of red blood cells and, therefore, when they are lacking in the body they can generate anemia. Since there are fewer cells in the blood, it is normal for blood pressure to drop.
Some signs that may indicate anemia include weakness, pallor, tingling in the feet or hands, stiffness in the arms and legs or loss of sensitivity to touch, for example.
What to do: When anemia is suspected it is very important to consult a general practitioner, to identify the correct cause of the anemia and to start the correct treatment. In the case of vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, supplementation with these vitamins should be made and an increase in the intake of foods such as salmon or liver steak. See in this video how to eat:
3. Use of some medicines
There are several types of remedies that, when used for a long time, can cause a marked decrease in blood pressure. Some of the most common examples include medicines for high blood pressure, diuretics, medicines for heart problems, antidepressants and medicines for erectile dysfunction.
What to do: if you are taking one of these medications, it is advisable to consult the doctor who made the prescription to evaluate the possibility of changing the medication or changing the dose.
4. Hormonal changes
When there is a change in the production of hormones by the thyroid or the adrenal gland, for example, there may be dilation of the blood vessels, which ends up causing a sharp drop in blood pressure. In addition, changes in pregnancy can also cause this type of effect and, therefore, it is common that during pregnancy the woman has a lower pressure than she had previously.
What to do: during pregnancy, you should maintain an adequate intake of water to help with fluid production and try to regulate blood pressure. In other cases, it is important to consult an endocrinologist to identify the hormonal problem and start the most appropriate treatment. Check what to eat to regulate the thyroid.
5. Internal bleeding
In internal bleeding, bleeding occurs inside the body and, therefore, can be more difficult to identify. When this happens, it is possible to lose a lot of blood, which ends up leaving the blood vessels with less blood, which ends up reducing blood pressure a lot.
Low blood pressure can also happen when there is a heavy external bleeding. Some signs that you may have internal bleeding include weakness, dizziness, difficulty breathing or constant headache. See when internal bleeding can happen and how to identify it.
What to do: if internal bleeding is suspected, you should immediately go to the hospital to identify the bleeding site and start the most appropriate treatment.
6. Heart problems
Changes in the functioning of the heart can also cause a decrease in blood pressure by reducing the amount of blood circulating in the body. The most common problems include heart failure, changes in heart valves and arrhythmias.
In these situations, in addition to the drop in blood pressure, other signs may also appear, such as chest discomfort, excessive tiredness, shortness of breath and cold sweats, for example. Check out 12 symptoms that may indicate heart problems.
What to do: If there is a history of heart problems in the family, or if changes in the heart are suspected, a cardiologist should be consulted to identify the correct diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.
7. Serious infection
Although it is more rare, low blood pressure can also arise due to a serious infection in the body, known as sepsis or septic shock. This is because bacteria spread throughout the body and release toxins that affect blood vessels, leading to a marked decrease in blood pressure. See which symptoms may indicate sepsis.
What to do: If you have an infection somewhere in the body and a sudden drop in blood pressure with symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and fainting sensation, it is important to go quickly to the hospital to start administering antibiotics directly into the vein.
When to go to the doctor
It is advisable to consult the general practitioner when the blood pressure drops more than 40 mmHg or is accompanied by:
- Dizziness and nausea; Fainting; Excessive thirst; Difficulty concentrating; Blurry vision; Excessive tiredness; Cold and pale skin.
When symptoms of low blood pressure appear it is recommended to lay the person down and lift their legs, allowing blood to reach the brain. If symptoms persist for more than 10 minutes, medical help should be called by calling 192 or taking the patient to an emergency room.
