Causes Of Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic Hypotension is caused by a lot of different things that happen inside a body. Some of it includes aging since older people commonly experience orthostatic Hypotension dehydration, or low fluid volume in the body, pregnancy, immobility, or staying too long in bed, and heart conditions, which includes heart attack, heart failure, irregular heart rhythm, and valve diseases.
It can also be caused by hypovolemia or the sudden drop in the volume of the blood, anemia, or low count of red blood cells Parkinsons disease and diseases in the endocrine system, including diabetes, and the adrenal insufficiency and the thyroid conditions.
It can also be caused by medications or substances that are being used to treat different illnesses like blood pressure, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, the ACE inhibitors, some nitrates, and the angiotensin II blockers, medicines for anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction, and Parkinsons disease. And substances that are taken together with the blood pressure medications like alcohol, barbiturates, and any other drugs.
When To See Your Gp
You should see your GP if you have frequent symptoms of low blood pressure. Your GP can measure your blood pressure and help identify any underlying causes of the problem.
All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you haven’t had yours measured or don’t know what your reading is, ask your practice nurse or GP to check it.
How Is It Treated And Can It Be Cured
Treating hypotension usually starts with finding out why its happening. If that cause is treatable directly, hypotension will usually get better on its own. An example of this is hypotension that happens because of an injury and blood loss. Repairing that injury and replacing the lost blood will stop hypotension as long as the repair to the injury holds. If you take medications that affect your blood pressure, your healthcare provider may change your dosage or have you stop taking that medication entirely.
If the cause remains a mystery, its also possible to treat it directly. However, curing hypotension is only possible if theres an underlying cause thats curable.
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What Are The Risk Factors
Syncope is common, but adults over age 80 are at greater risk of hospitalization and death.
Younger people without cardiac disease but who’ve experienced syncope while standing or have specific stress or situational triggers aren’t as likely to experience cardiac syncope.
Cardiac syncope is a higher risk in: people older than age 60 men presence of known heart disease brief palpitations or sudden loss of consciousness fainting during exertion fainting while supine an abnormal cardiac exam or family history of inheritable conditions. Other existing conditions and medications used are particularly important in older patients.
Wrapping Up The Blood Pressure Medications Causing A Cough
Dont judge any one particular medication because of its possible side effects. Every medicine has them and not everybody is affected by them.
No drug is more superior than the other. The value of each drug and how it affects blood pressure is judged on an individual basis 11.
Most often, physicians can tailor a medication and treatment for each individual patient. The physician will often prescribe a medication that controls blood pressure with no side effects or coughing.
Disclaimer: The medications, medicine information, side effects listed in this article are for information and reference only. Blood Pressure Explained does not endorse or recommend any specific medication. Its important to consult with your physician and pharmacist about any medication you may be taking as they are the best sources of information. Never stop taking medication or change your dose without consulting with the prescribing physician.
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How Does This Condition Affect My Body
Under normal circumstances, your body can automatically control your blood pressure and keep it from dropping too much. If it starts to drop, your body tries to compensate for that, either by speeding up your heart rate or constricting blood vessels to make them narrower. Symptoms of hypotension happen when your body cant compensate enough to offset the drop in blood pressure.
For many people, hypotension doesn’t cause any symptoms. Many people don’t even know their blood pressure is low unless they get their blood pressure measured.
For people with symptoms, the effects depend on why hypotension is happening, how fast it develops and what caused it. Slow decreases in blood pressure happen normally, so hypotension becomes more common as people get older. Fast decreases in blood pressure can mean certain parts of your body arent getting enough blood flow. That can have effects that are unpleasant, disruptive or even dangerous.
What Is Low Blood Pressure
According to the American Heart Association , normal blood pressure is made up of two readings: systolic , which measures the pressure of your blood in your arteries as your heart beats, and diastolic , which measures the pressure of your blood in the arteries when your heart rests between beats.
A normal blood pressure is a systolic reading of under 120 and a diastolic of less than 80. For example, a blood pressure that would be considered normal for a healthy adult would be 110/70.
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Technically speaking, low blood pressure â or hypotension â is a blood pressure reading of less than 90/60, says Alexandra Lajoie, MD, a non-invasive cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. However, she explains that a low blood pressure reading is considered dangerous anytime it is causing symptoms that last more than a few seconds.
“The number is variable and depends on a patient’s other medical conditions,” she says. “Some people have symptoms if their systolic blood pressure is below 120, others below 70.”
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Heart Rate And Exercise
In discussions about high blood pressure, you will often see heart rate mentioned in relation to exercise. Your target heart rate is based on age and can help you monitor the intensity of your exercise.
- If you measure your heart rate before, during and after physical activity, youll notice it will increase over the course of the exercise.
- The greater the intensity of the exercise, the more your heart rate will increase.
- When you stop exercising, your heart rate does not immediately return to your normal heart rate.
- The more fit you are, the sooner your heart rate will return to normal.
Why You Might Have Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure has many possible causes, from lifestyle choices, to medication or an underlying health condition.
In some cases, it may just be the result of being healthy and active or a tendency youve inherited from your parents.
Throughout the day, its normal for your blood pressure to vary depending on what youre doing. Stress at work, the temperature outside and your diet could all affect your blood pressure reading.
This is why its important your blood pressure is checked under similar conditions each time to make sure results are consistent.
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What Can I Do For Myself
There are other things you can do for yourself to help with your symptoms.
- Wear supportive elastic stockings . They put extra pressure on your legs which helps to improve circulation and raise your blood pressure. For some people this can be enough, but speak to your GP first because they arent suitable for everyone.
- Stand up slowly from sitting or lying down. You can try other simple movements to get the blood flowing before you stand up, such as straightening and bending your legs.
- Avoid standing for long periods of time.
- Drink enough water throughout the day, around 2 litres, so you dont get dehydrated.
- Eat little and often throughout the day. This avoids low blood pressure after eating.
Read more about how .
What To Do Naturally To Lower Blood Pressure
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Are Losartan Vs Lisinopril The Same
Although both medications work on the renin-angiotensin system, they work on different areas of the system, but both medications lower blood pressure and are used for other heart or kidney conditions. They also have other differences in dosing, warnings, and price.
Other common ACE inhibitors you may have heard of include Lotensin , Vasotec , Accupril , and Altace .
Other ARBs you may have heard of include Edarbi , Atacand , Avapro , Micardis , Diovan , and Benicar .
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Conditions That Can Cause Low Blood Pressure
Certain conditions can cause long periods of hypotension that can become dangerous if left untreated. These conditions include:
- pregnancy, due to an increase in demand for blood from both the pregnant person and the growing fetus
- impaired circulation caused by a heart attack or heart condition
- dehydration, for example if youre vomiting and cant keep liquids down, or have severe diarrhea
- endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, and thyroid disease
- autonomic dysfunction, damage to the nerves that control some bodily functions
- prolonged bed rest
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Exercise For Low Blood Pressure
Everyday exercise such as a 30-minute walk or light running can serve to improve circulation and alleviate any existing symptoms of low blood pressure. It is best to go with a companion if already a patient of hypotension, in case episodes of blurry vision, giddiness, or fainting happen during these times.
It is necessary to avoid undue stress to the body and sudden, jerky movements through heavy lifting and other strenuous exercise so that the flow of movement is smooth. Discipline and consistency regarding exercise aids the underlying causes of low blood pressure, while alleviating its symptoms as well.
Comparing Abilify Abilify Maintena And Abilify Mycite
There are other brand-name drugs available called Abilify Maintena and Abilify Mycite. Abilify, Abilify Maintena, and Abilify Mycite all contain the active ingredient aripiprazole.
Abilify Maintena is given as an intramuscular injection every 30 days. It contains an extended-release version of Abilify, which means it slowly releases aripiprazole over time.
Abilify Mycite is an oral tablet that has a sensor to track when you take your dose.
This article focuses on the potential side effects of Abilify oral tablets. To learn more about Abilify Maintena and Abilify Mycite, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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Treatment For Low Blood Pressure
How low blood pressure is treated will depend on the cause of the low blood pressure, but some common treatments include:
â1. Preventative Measuresâ
In some situations, taking preventive measures can help correct your low blood pressure. For instance, if you have neurally mediated hypotension and a job that requires you to stand still for long periods of time, your blood pressure can drop.
Dr. Lajoie explains that taking preventive measures such as moving your legs around, walking at regular intervals, getting up slowly and performing leg exercises can help prevent dangerous drops in blood pressure that could cause fainting.
â2. Hydrationâ
Adequate fluid intake is key to maintaining a healthy blood pressure, Dr. Lajoie says. Improving hydration can sometimes be sufficient to raise blood pressure levels.
âRead more:â 8 Hydration Mistakes You’re Probably Making and How to Fix Them
â3. Dietary Changesâ
In some situations, a doctor will prescribe increasing your salt intake to try to raise your blood pressure. However, Dr. Lajoie cautions that you should always talk to your doctor before making any significant changes to your salt intake because in certain situations â such as heart failure â it can make your blood pressure worse.
âLearn how to fill your plate with healthy, nutrient-dense foods by logging your meals on the MyPlate app. Download now to fine-tune your diet today!â
â4. Medicationâ
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Lower Doses Of A Combination Of Drugs May Be Effective
Approximately one in three Americans has high blood pressure, but only about half of those who do have the condition under control. One common reason: they stop taking their medications, often because of troublesome side effects such as weakness, fatigue, or a dry cough. However, taking smaller doses of several different blood pressure drugs may be a good way to address these issues, a new analysis suggests.
Researchers pooled findings from 42 studies involving more than 20,000 people with high blood pressure. All had been randomly assigned to take a placebo or one or more blood pressure drugs in varying combinations and dosages.
Researchers found that taking a quarter-dose of a two-drug combination was just as effective at lowering blood pressure as taking a full dose of one drug. Taking a quarter-dose of a four-drug combination was even more effective . People who took smaller doses of multiple drugs had fewer side effects than those taking a single drug at the full dose. In fact, their side effects were similar to those of people who took placebos. The study was published in the July 2017 issue of Hypertension.
Baroreceptor Signals Sent To The Arteries
Baroreceptors communicate directly with arteries when blood pressure is too high or too low to bring it into a more appropriate level. Baroreceptors tell arteries to constrict when blood pressure is too low to help raise blood pressure. Baroreceptors tell arteries to relax when blood pressure is too high to help lower blood pressure.
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What Blood Pressure Medicine Has The Lowest Side Effects
by Contributing Writer / in Health
Common in nearly every medication, side effects are no stranger to blood pressure medications as every blood pressure medication has some kind of side effects.
Which blood pressure medication that has the lowest side effects depends on how you react to specific medications and what side effects you find most bothersome.
Most commonly prescribed blood pressure medications have an array of similar side effects. Depending on your health status, you may be able to take a diuretic, which does not have many of the side effects associated with beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, alpha blockers and calcium channel blockers.
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Health Risks Of Low Blood Pressure
There are both direct and indirect risks to having low blood pressure:
â1. Inadequate Oxygenâ
As Dr. Lajoie mentioned, the main risk of low blood pressure is that there isn’t enough pressure in your blood vessels to get blood â and thus, oxygen â where it needs to go in your body, especially to the brain. Think of it like trying to take a shower when the water pressure is too lowâyou just can’t get the job done easily or effectively.
â2. Heart Problemsâ
Severely low blood pressure can cause damage to your heart by depriving it of oxygen, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Individuals with existing coronary heart disease and very low blood pressure as a result of treatment are at an increased risk for cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack, according to a February 2017 study in the âBritish Medical Journal.â
Another study, published September 2018 in the âJournal of the American College of Cardiologyâ, found that very low blood pressure is associated with increased angina, or chest pain, in people with chronic coronary artery disease.
â3. Injuryâ
If you experience a sudden drop in blood pressure, you are at risk for fainting, which could lead to an injury from falling.
â4. Kidney Damageâ
According to Dr. Lajoie, certain patients with kidney failure can experience worsened kidney function if their blood pressure is too low.
â5. Exacerbation of Stroke Symptomsâ
â6. Other Health Risksâ
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Why Do Blood Pressure Medications Cause Coughing
Battling high blood pressure with medication can be very difficult. Adding a cough to the situation complicates the problem even more. Youre probably wondering, why do blood pressure medications cause coughing?
Blood pressure medications, like ACE inhibitors, cause coughing because they affect how the kidneys filter impurities out of the blood. Kinins, the insoluble by-products of the medication, are unfiltered out of the blood. Instead, they lodge in the brachial tubes of the lungs. The coughing is the body attempting to expel the kinins from the lungs.
As a person ages, this makes the problem worse because an older person loses kidney function. This makes it harder for the body to clear drugs from the kidneys and blood 5.
Even if a person stops taking the drugs or switches to a different medication, the coughing may persist for months. This is because the kinins in the lungs takes some time to clear out of the lungs.
Unfortunately, some people who have a cough from medication may be diagnosed as having another problem, like a sore throat or bronchitis.
Have you ever wondered how blood pressure medications lower blood pressure? Check out my blog post on it here, How Blood Pressure Medicine Works.