Low blood pressure symptoms (hypotension)

Low blood pressure, also known scientifically as hypotension, can be identified by means of some symptoms, such as dizziness, feeling faint and changes in vision, such as blurred or blurred vision. However, the best way to make sure your blood pressure is low is by measuring your blood pressure at home or at the pharmacy.

Low blood pressure is usually indicative that there is not enough blood flowing from the heart to the organs, resulting in symptoms. It can be said that the pressure is low when the pressure value is equal to or less than 90 x 60 mmHg, popularly called 9 by 6.

To increase the pressure a little, reducing the discomfort, you can lie down with your legs elevated or have a coffee with sugar or a juice, for example. Know what to eat when the pressure is low.

Main symptoms

In many cases, low blood pressure does not cause any symptoms and, therefore, many people can have a completely normal life with low blood pressure. However, when there is a rapid drop in blood pressure, some symptoms that can arise are:

Dizziness and vertigo; Lack of energy and weakness in the muscles; Feeling faint; Headache; Heavy head and feeling empty; Paleness; Drowsiness; Sickness; Blurred or blurred vision.

In addition, it is common to feel tired, difficulty concentrating and feeling cold, and in most cases several symptoms appear at the same time. These signs arise because oxygen and nutrients are not distributed satisfactorily to the cells of the body.

What to do when the pressure is low

Treatment for low blood pressure varies with the cause and, therefore, if symptoms are very frequent, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner to start the most appropriate treatment.

However, in most cases, low blood pressure with symptoms is a temporary and infrequent event. In these situations, to help reduce malaise, you should:

Sit with your head in the middle of your legs or lie down raising your legs, with your feet higher than your heart and head, in a cool and airy place to avoid fainting; Loosen clothes to breathe better; Drink 1 orange juice that is rich in potassium and helps to increase pressure.

In addition, one should avoid excessive sun exposure and between 11 am and 4 pm and places with high humidity.

When low blood pressure occurs daily, pressure socks can be worn because hypotension can occur due to the accumulation of blood in the legs. In addition, when orthostatic hypotension occurs due to bed rest, one must sit for 2 minutes in bed before getting up. Check which treatment options are most used in cases of low blood pressure.

Symptoms of low blood pressure in pregnancy

Low blood pressure is common especially in early pregnancy, however it can cause great discomfort for the woman and put the baby at risk due to the symptoms, which are usually:

Feeling of weakness, which can result in falling; Blurred vision; Dizziness; Headache; Feeling faint.

If symptoms of low blood pressure are frequent during pregnancy, it is important that the woman consult her obstetrician so that the best treatment can be recommended to relieve and avoid the symptoms. See what are the possible risks of low blood pressure in pregnancy and how to avoid it.

Possible causes

Generally, blood pressure drops due to the decrease in the amount of blood, especially when it is very hot, as blood vessels dilate and sweat increases, decreasing the concentration of fluids in the body.

Low blood pressure can also be a side effect of some medications such as diuretics, antidepressants, weight loss drugs or antihypertensives and the higher the dose, the greater the risk of having low blood pressure, in addition to resulting in prolonged fasting or vitamin B12 deficit..

In addition, lying in bed for a long time, especially at night or during the postoperative period of surgery can also lower blood pressure, causing postural hypotension, also known as orthotic hypotension, which is when you suddenly get up and you feel faint. Learn more about the causes of low blood pressure.

When to go to the doctor

It is essential to go to the emergency room or the hospital when the pressure remains low for more than 15 minutes and does not improve with the recommendations.

In addition, if you have these symptoms more than twice a month, you should go to the doctor to find out the cause of the problem, as it may be necessary to take medicines like ephedrine, phenylephrine or fludrocortisone, for example.