What to do with low blood pressure?
What is hypotension, what to do when blood pressure drops. Symptoms of hypotension, causes and how to limit it. What is hypotension, postural hypotension?
If you are lying down or sitting and then suddenly stand up and feel the following symptoms, you are experiencing orthostatic hypotension, also known as hypotension:
Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, headache, drowsiness or fainting, tiredness, feeling weak in the limbs or confusion.
At this time, your systolic blood pressure is dropping by at least 20mmHg and/or your diastolic blood pressure is dropping by at least 10mmHg within 3 minutes of standing. This happens when you lie down or sit, causing gravity, blood in the body to pool in the lower limbs for a long time and blood flow to the heart is reduced. At that time, the heart is not able to supply enough blood to the whole body, causing a decrease in oxygen to the brain.
These symptoms can last for a few seconds or minutes and may disappear if the patient lies down to rest. However, this condition may be worse in the morning. Orthostatic hypotension can occur in many different ages and subjects, but some subjects are more susceptible to this condition such as:
If you experience a drop in blood pressure as above, you should lie down and rest so that your blood pressure increases and stabilizes. You can elevate your legs higher than your head and give the patient ginger tea, licorice tea, coconut water, coffee, etc. In case the patient has unusual symptoms such as pale skin, sweating, shortness of breath, etc., you should take them immediately to the nearest medical facility.
Is low blood pressure dangerous?
Orthostatic hypotension can have many causes. Some common causes include medication use, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, nervous system disorders, dehydration, etc.
If orthostatic hypotension occurs frequently, you need to visit a specialized medical facility to find the cause. This is a clinical condition that causes significant complications or death, especially in the elderly. Furthermore, orthostatic hypotension can cause falls and unwanted injuries. Prolonged orthostatic hypotension will affect the nervous system, causing memory loss.
To prevent orthostatic hypotension, you should limit sudden changes in position. It is best to change position slowly from lying to sitting and then stand up slowly. For patients with high blood pressure or the elderly, it is recommended to limit standing for too long.
Besides, you can consult your doctor to choose a suitable diet and always replenish enough water for your body to avoid dehydration.
