How Can I Deal With Low Blood Pressure
Immediate Steps
During an emergency, you should first take immediate steps such as lying with your feet raised above your heart, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding triggers such as prolonged standing. Also, move your legs when standing. If you notice symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, cross your thighs and squeeze. You could also put one of your feet on a chair or ledge and lean forward. Put on abdominal binders or compression stockings might help reduce the effects of orthostatic hypotension.
Preventive Measures
What Causes A Sudden Drop In Blood Pressure
Orthostatic Hypotension
Postural or orthostatic hypotension is triggered when you suddenly stand up from a sitting position or from lying down. It can make you feel lighthearted, faint or dizzy. It happens for a number of reasons including hunger, fatigue or dehydration. It can also occur as a result of your genetics, medication, age, diet and psychological factors. In some cases it is caused by allergy and infection.
The majority of people who suffer from postural hypotension are those taking medications for high blood pressure. This sudden drop in blood pressure is also associated with emotional turmoil, pregnancy, diabetes and the hardening of arteries. Seniors are particularly prone to this condition, especially if they have a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system or high blood pressure.
How to deal with it: This type of hypotension is usually mild and only lasts a few minutes at most. If it lasts longer than that, then it could be a pointer to an underlying problem. You might need to talk to your doctor about it if you often feel lightheaded when standing up. If at any time you lose consciousness due to orthostatic hypotension, see your doctor urgently. Mild cases of orthostatic hypotension do not need any medical attention and shouldnt be a cause for concern.
Other Possible Causes
What Is Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure .
A blood pressure reading appears as two numbers. The first and higher of the two is a measure of systolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood. The second number measures diastolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 . In healthy people, low blood pressure without any symptoms is not usually a concern and does not need to be treated. But low blood pressure can be a sign of an underlying problem — especially in the elderly — where it may cause inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs.
Chronic low blood pressure with no symptoms is almost never serious. But health problems can occur when blood pressure drops suddenly and the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply. This can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. Sudden drops in blood pressure most commonly occur in someone who’s rising from a lying down or sitting position to standing. This kind of low blood pressure is known as postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension. Another type of low blood pressure can occur when someone stands for a long period of time. This is called neurally mediated hypotension.
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Other Effects Of Weed On Blood Pressure
There may be other effects of marijuana on blood pressure that health practitioners have yet to discover. All potential effects depend on the individual’s existing health problems, especially co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
Can people without these conditions safely indulge in marijuana? A healthy individual’s body may appear as a well-oiled machine, but Bone disputes that analogy, pointing out that, “Unlike a car, where we replace the brakes or tires, the heart never gets a vacation and the blood vessels need to keep working forever. And the nervous system, which directs the show like a conductor, is on duty 24/7.”
Moderation, then, may be key in integrating a cannabis regimen into your healthcare plan. Consult with your physician before you begin using cannabis or CBD products and discuss any medications you are currently taking.
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What Exactly Is Cbd
Cannabidiol is the second most prominent compound, called cannabinoid, that makes up the cannabis plant. Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol , the most famous and abundant cannabinoid, CBD is not intoxicating and therefore does not provide the famous âhighâ feeling for its users. Instead, cannabidiol has earned the nickname âthe medical compoundâ for its therapeutic and medicinal effects.
It has been used as a form of treatment for patients that have been diagnosed with a number of diseases including neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsonâs and Alzheimerâs, epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, and many others.
For more information on Cannabidiol, cbdeducationonline has already written an incredibly detailed article that you can read here. To understand the science behind CBDâs effect on blood pressure, itâs best to first learn how to properly and accurately decipher a blood pressure reading.
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How Is The Cause Of Low Blood Pressure Diagnosed
To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed healthcare practitioner will ask you several questions related to your low blood pressure including:
- When did you first notice your low blood pressure?
- What seems to bring it on?
- Does anything make it improve?
- Do you have any other symptoms?
- Do you have any other medical problems?
- What medications are you taking?
- Do you drink alcohol or use any illicit drugs?
Your doctor will also perform a physical exam and check your blood pressure. If the results are in the low blood pressure range, your doctor may recommend testing including:
- Blood and urine tests to check for problems like , diabetes, hormone problems, or nutritional deficiencies
- ECG to check for electrical abnormalities in the heart
- Title table test to check how your body responds to changes in position
- X-ray of the chest to check the size and shape of your heart
It is not always possible to diagnose an underlying cause or condition. If the problem persists and your provider is unable to determine a cause, seeking a second opinion may give you more information and answers.
What Can You Do To Help Relieve Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure
Depending on the type of low blood pressure you have, you may be able to relieve some of your symptoms by:
- Eating a healthy diet with fewer carbohydrates and smaller meals.
- Drinking more water and avoiding alcohol.
- Getting up slowly after youve been sitting or lying down.
- Focusing on breathing a few times before you change position.
- Wearing compression stockings.
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What Causes Low Blood Pressure
The cause of low blood pressure isn’t always clear. It may be associated with the following:
- Pregnancy
- Some prescription medicines such as for high blood pressure, depression or Parkinsonâs disease
- Heart failure
- Heart arrhythmias
- Widening, or dilation, of the blood vessels
- Severe dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or fever
- A reaction to medication or alcohol
- A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that causes an irregular heartbeat
Who Gets Postural Hypotension?
Postural hypotension, which is low blood pressure when standing up suddenly, can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons, such as dehydration, lack of food, or being overly fatigued. It can also be influenced by genetic make-up, aging, medication, dietary and psychological factors, and acute triggers, such as infection and allergy.
Postural hypotension occurs most frequently in people who are taking drugs to control high blood pressure . It can also be related to pregnancy, strong emotions, hardening of the arteries , or diabetes. The elderly are particularly affected, especially those who have high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Hypotension after meals is a common cause of dizziness and falls after eating. This is most common after large meals containing a lot of carbohydrates. Itâs believed to be caused by blood pooling into the vessels of the stomach and intestines.
Common causes of naturally occurring postural hypotension include:
What Are The Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure often has no symptoms, but can sometimes mean that not enough blood is flowing to your brain or organs. This can cause symptoms such as:
- feeling dizzy, faint or light-headed
- feeling unsteady
- suddenly noticing your heartbeat
- fainting
If you have these symptoms, stop what youre doing and sit down or lie down in case you fall, and drink some water.
Speak to your doctor or nurse if you experience these symptoms. As well as being unpleasant, they could mean youre at risk of having a fall. They could also be a sign of another health problem.
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Improving Health With Current Research
Learn about the following ways the NHLBI continues to translate current research into improved health for people with abnormally low blood pressure. Research on this topic is part of the NHLBIs broader commitment to advancing heart and vascular disease scientific discovery.
- Testing Treatments for Cardiac Arrest and Trauma. The Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium clinical trial network tested treatments to address high morbidity and mortality rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and severe traumatic injury. ROC investigators compared different strategies for supplemental fluids in trauma patients who have low blood pressure. Other ROC studies found a link between low blood pressure readings and the need for emergency procedures.
- Understanding How Low Blood Pressure Affects Diverse Populations. NHLBI-supported researchers are studying low blood pressure in different populations. Investigators in the NHLBIs Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study found that people who have low blood pressure when standing up, known as orthostatic hypotension, are at higher risk for stroke. In a follow-up study of NHLBIs Honolulu Heart Program, researchers found older Japanese men who had orthostatic hypotension were nearly twice as likely to die within the next four years as those who did not have orthostatic hypotension. NHLBIs Cardiovascular Health Study found that orthostatic hypotension was common in older adults, increases with age, and is linked to cardiovascular diseases.
How Cold Increases Blood Pressure
During the winter months, blood pressure tends to rise, notes the Mayo Clinic. Why? Because colder weather causes a narrowing of the blood vessels. That, in turn, can drive your blood pressure numbers up, as more pressure is required to ensure that blood continues flowing through narrower veins and arterial passages.
Research published in the journal Hypertension in July 2013 concluded that, among middle-aged men and women, every 18-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature was associated with a 1.85 increase in systolic blood pressure and a 1.18 rise in diastolic blood pressure .
The study team offered several explanations as to why, including the effect cold weather appears to have on the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body’s “fight or flight response” to a stressful or dangerous situation. Decreased sweating was another cited reason.
And speaking broadly, the weather can also have an indirect effect on blood pressure levels. For example, when the cold of winter hits, people generally tend to become less active, Mayo notes. That decrease in activity levels is often accompanied by a related increase in weight. The resulting off-season “winter bod” may ultimately drive up high blood pressure risk, particularly among those who already have a history of high blood pressure or a long-standing struggle with excess weight.
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Low Blood Pressure Symptoms
Low blood pressure is pressure so low it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney, the organs do not function normally and may be temporarily or permanently damaged.
Unlike high blood pressure, low blood pressure is defined primarily by signs and symptoms of low blood flow and not by a specific blood pressure number. Some individuals routinely may have blood pressure numbers of 90/50 with no symptoms and therefore do not have low blood pressure. However, others who normally have higher blood pressures may develop symptoms of low blood pressure if their blood pressure drops to 100/60.
During pregnancy, blood pressure tends to decrease. Normal blood pressure during pregnancy may be lower than 100/60. Your OB/GYN or Midwife should monitor your bood pressure if you are pregnant.
How Does Blood Pressure Work
During relaxation of the heart , the left ventricle of the heart fills with blood returning from the lungs. The left ventricle then contracts and pumps blood into the arteries . The blood pressure in the arteries during contraction of the ventricle is higher because blood is being actively ejected into the arteries. It is lower during relaxation of the ventricle when no blood is being ejected into the arteries. The pulse we feel when we place our fingers over an artery is caused by the contraction of the left ventricle and the ejection of blood.
Blood pressure is determined by two factors:
Generally, blood pressure tends to be higher if more blood is pumped into the arteries or if the arterioles are narrow and/or stiff. Narrow and/or stiff arterioles, by resisting the flow of blood, increase blood pressure. Arterioles may become narrower when the muscles surrounding them contract. Arterioles may become stiff and narrow when older patients develop atherosclerosis.
Blood pressure tends to be lower if less blood is being pumped into the arteries or if the arterioles are larger and more flexible and, therefore, have less resistance to the flow of blood.
The heart rate increases and the forcefulness of the heart’s contractions increase, pumping more blood through the heart.
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Does Medical Marijuana Lower Blood Pressure
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The number of Americans at risk of heart attack and stroke has increased substantially over the last decade. According to statistics released from the American Heart Association, nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure.
Alarmingly, the rising prevalence of hypertension has coincided with the relaxation of U.S. state marijuana laws, raising questions and concerns among both health professionals and the public. People want to know, does marijuana lower blood pressure? Or does marijuana raise blood pressure? And, what are the long-term effects of cannabis on cardiovascular health?
An estimated 2 million Americans with an established cardiovascular disease currently use or have used marijuana. In this article, well review the current evidence on the acute and chronic cardiovascular effects of marijuana.
Symptoms And Causes Of Low Blood Pressure
Many different conditions and situations can cause low blood pressure, from standing up too fast to being pregnant. Sometimes, low blood pressure is linked to an underlying problem. Thats why its important to see your doctor right away if you experience the signs of low blood pressure.
Symptoms of low blood pressure can include:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Depression
Low blood pressure can be a sign of serious heart, endocrine or neurological conditions. If left untreated, the brain and other vital organs do not get the oxygen and nutrients they need. In extreme cases, this can cause shock, a life-threatening condition.
If you show signs of low blood pressure, your doctor will conduct an exam and may perform tests to determine whats causing the condition. Low blood pressure can occur with many other conditions.
Some causes of low blood pressure are:
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How High Blood Pressure Impacts Womens Health
High blood pressure is more prevalent in women compared to men, especially with age. Women may experience a disproportionate increase in their systolic blood pressure levels versus their diastolic levels around menopause or after. When women go through menopause, there is a stiffening of the blood vessels. This relates to Isolated Systolic Hypertension . ISH describes the pattern of high systolic reading and a normal systolic reading.
Other conditions that are specific to women who have high blood pressure are:
- Stroke
Elevated Risk To Heart And Head
The study, published in the May 7, 2018 Journal of the American Heart Association, tracked more than 9,100 middle-aged adults for more than two decades. Researchers found that people with OH had a higher risk of future heart attack, heart failure, and stroke than those without the condition. They were also more likely to have early signs of heart disease, such as plaque buildup in the carotid arteries and elevated levels of blood proteins indicating heart damage.
Orthostatic hypotension could be a red flag for latent cardiovascular disease. It’s important to be aware of this possible link because some of the treatments for OH could make heart disease worse.
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What Are The Potential Complications Of Low Blood Pressure
Because low blood pressure can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:
- Brain damage
Heat Exhaustion Or Stroke
Heat exhaustion occurs when a person is out in the sun or in high temperatures for too long. It usually goes hand-in-hand with dehydration and has many of the same symptoms. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can cause damage to the vital organs. Like dehydration, you may feel dizzy, disoriented, or faint this is because the body cannot efficiently send blood to your organs.
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