What Is The Treatment For Low Blood Pressure

Understanding The Acc/aha Definition

It’s important to mention that the definition of high blood pressure according to the ACC/AHA differs slightly from other professional societies, such as the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Hypertension .

The ESC/ESH defines high blood pressure as a systolic blood pressure that is 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure that is 90 mmHg or higher.

The differences in definition are based on results from large studies that examined the link between blood pressure and the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes.

What Is Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is when your blood pressure is much lower than expected. It can happen either as a condition on its own or as a symptom of a wide range of conditions. It may not cause symptoms, but when it does, it can require medical attention.

Hypotension has two definitions:

• Absolute hypotension: Your resting blood pressure is below 90/60 mmHg .
• Orthostatic hypotension: Your blood pressure drops within three minutes of you standing up from a sitting position. The drop must be 20 mmHg or more for your systolic pressure and 10 mmHg or more for your diastolic pressure. Another name for this is postural hypotension because it happens with changes in posture.

Measuring blood pressure involves two numbers, top and bottom, in mm/Hg.

• Systolic : Your systolic pressure is the pressure on your arteries each time your heart beats. To find your systolic pressure, a healthcare provider* inflates a cuff that squeezes your arm. At the same time, they listen to your pulse at a point below the cuff. Your systolic pressure is when they cant hear your pulse anymore because the cuffs pressure is stronger than the pressure from your heart pumping.
• Diastolic : That number is how much pressure your arteries are under between heartbeats. The provider will keep listening for your pulse to find your diastolic pressure while they deflate the cuff. Your diastolic pressure is the number where they can again hear your heartbeat as the cuff deflates.

Home Remedies For Low Blood Pressure

Eat smaller food portions more frequently: Consuming smaller meals more frequently during the day can help support healthy blood pressure by preventing it from falling lower.

Consume an adequate amount of salt: People with high blood pressure are advised to steer clear of salt however, salt consumption is actually advised for those with hypotensionbut still in moderate amounts, of course. If you are hypotensive, it may also be a good idea to have a pinch of salt with your lime water as a quick pick-me-up when your blood pressure begins to fall.

Drink plenty of fluids: Drinking plenty of water and coconut water can provide your body with the necessary electrolytes to maintain a proper fluid balance, which ensures healthy blood pressure. Dehydration has been known to lead to low blood pressure, so staying hydrated can combat it. Pomegranate juice is also a good beverage to consume as it has antioxidants to help manage blood pressure.

Caffeine: Caffeinated beverages like coffee are also beneficial for low blood pressure. This remedy should only be utilized as a quick pick-me-up. It can only temporarily boost blood pressure, so it can buy you enough time to grab a healthy snack.

Almond milk: Drinking almond milk can help you maintain healthy blood pressure. Better yet, its quite healthy for you as it contains no saturated fat or cholesterol and is packed with healthy omega fatty acids.

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Changing The Volume Of Blood

The higher the volume of blood in the arteries, the higher the blood pressureâas long as the width of the arteries remains constant. The volume of blood in the arteries is affected by

• How much fluid is in the body

• Whether very small arteries leak fluid

• How much fluid the kidneys remove from the blood to excrete in the urine

• Certain drugs, particularly diuretics

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 Medications/treatments Are Used

Treating hypotension directly usually happens in one of three ways:

• Increasing blood volume. This method, also known as fluid resuscitation, involves infusing fluids into your blood. Examples of this include intravenous fluids, plasma or blood transfusions.
• Making blood vessels constrict. Just as there are medications that lower your blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels in your body, there are also medications that have the opposite effect.
• Change how your body handles fluids. Your kidneys are responsible for maintaining the fluid balance in your body. Certain medications can make your kidneys keep fluid and salt in your body, which can help with low blood pressure.

Complications/side effects of the treatment

The complications of either treatment depend on the exact medication or treatment you receive. Your healthcare provider can best explain the possible complications or side effects. Thats because they can consider your specific circumstances, including other health conditions, medications you take and more.

How Is The Treatment Of Low Blood Pressure Done

Low blood pressure in itself is not a serious condition. Often it can be a symptom of another health problem. The underlying conditions differ from person to person. Therefore, it is necessary for the doctor to identify the real cause of your blood pressure problem.

First, fix an appointment with your doctor notify him/her about your medical history, your age, the symptoms you are currently experiencing, and the reasons for the occurrence of the blood pressure drop. The doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination of the concerned patient. Then she or he will make the patient undergo a series of tests where the patient will be asked to stand up suddenly after lying down for some time. During this time, the doctor will take the pulse rate and will check the blood pressure levels.

If the doctor feels necessary then she or he may perform an ECG or an electrocardiogram in order to check the pulse rate and also an echocardiogram/ultrasound test in order to see the condition of the heart and take pictures of it for later reference. She or he might also take blood test samples from the patient in order to check for anemia or any issues with your blood sugar level.

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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 .

Monitoring And Controlling Blood Pressure

Baroreceptors are specialized cells located within arteries that act as blood pressure sensors. The receptors in the large arteries of the neck and chest are particularly important. When baroreceptors detect a change in blood pressure, they trigger the body to react to maintain a steady blood pressure. Nerves carry signals from these sensors and the brain to

• The heart, which is signaled to change the rate and force of heartbeats . This change is one of the first, and it corrects low blood pressure quickly.

• The arterioles, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .

• The veins, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .

• The kidneys, which are signaled to change the amount of fluid excreted and to change the amount of hormones that they produce . This change takes a long time to produce results and thus is the slowest mechanism for how the body controls blood pressure.

For example, when a person is bleeding, blood volume and thus blood pressure decrease. In such cases, sensors activate multiple processes to prevent blood pressure from decreasing too much:

• The heart rate increases and the heart beats more forcefully with each contraction, increasing the amount of blood pumped

• The veins constrict, reducing their capacity to hold blood in less important parts of the body

• The arterioles constrict, increasing their resistance to blood flow

In addition, as people age, the body responds to changes in blood pressure more slowly.

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Low Blood Pressure : 11 Easy Tips 7 Remedies

Do you feel tired all the time?

Do you feel dizzy?

Do you suffer from vertigo?

All of these symptoms may suggest low blood pressure.

Many people suffer from this syndrome and even hypertensives can sometimes experience phases of hypotension.

There are effective applicable means to try to raise the pressure quickly.

Changing The Body’s Position

Blood pressure can vary throughout the body due to the direct action of gravity. When a person is standing, blood pressure is higher in the legs than in the head, much in the way that the water pressure at the bottom of a swimming pool is higher than that at the top. When a person lies down, blood pressure tends to be more equal throughout the body.

When a person stands up, blood from the veins in the legs has a harder time getting back to the heart. As a result, the heart has less blood to pump out, and blood pressure may temporarily drop throughout the body. When a person sits down or lies down, blood can more easily return to the heart, and cardiac output and blood pressure may increase. Elevating the legs above the level of the heart can increase return of blood to the heart, which increases cardiac output and raises blood pressure.

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Lifestyle Changes For Low Bp

Eat small meals frequently Consuming smaller and more frequent meals has been known to help with hypotension. This is because smaller and frequent meals reduce the gap between each meal and also keep you filled with the right nutrients, thereby reducing the chances of low blood pressure, as compared to larger and heavier meals.

Increase salt intake A sure shot low BP treatment at home is to increase your salt intake. Salt contains sodium and for people with blood pressure problems, higher sodium intake can be a good solution. Thus, consuming more salt can help raise your blood pressure.

Wear compression stockings The role of compression stockings is to decrease the amount of blood to be constricted to your lower legs and help it to be distributed throughout the body. They can also help to reduce the pressure and pain arising out of varicose veins. You can easily buy them for yourself online.

Dont get up or move around quickly Any sudden or rapid movements can cause problems for someone with low blood pressure. For example, sitting up or standing up quickly can make you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or can even cause you to faint.

Avoid alcohol Alcohol can cause your blood pressure to fall so if you already have low blood pressure, you should avoid any sort of alcoholic beverages.

Drink plenty of water Water helps increase the volume of blood as well as reduce any chances of dehydration. Both of these can help in increasing your blood pressure.

The Crucial Role Of Salt

Salt is demonized when consumed to excess.

Of course, it is very present in processed foods and we know it too well.

Nevertheless, it is crucial for the hypotensive.

Our tendency to restrict ourselves so as not to over-consume salt unconsciously leads us to lack.

And low blood pressure is coming.

Hydration and salt are the keys to treatment.

Drink sparkling water, bite into a few chips during the day, and salt your homemade dishes but dont neglect the salt, at least not as much as they tell it.

It can save you a lot of trouble if you suffer from low blood pressure.

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Possible Complications And Risks

In some cases, your blood pressure can drop so low that your body goes into shock. This is because without proper blood flow your organs dont get enough oxygen. Signs that your body is going into shock include feeling clammy with cold but sweaty skin, faster breathing, and a rapid pulse.

If you experience these symptoms it is imperative that you seek medical attention. The greatest risk lies in not addressing your low blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about any blood pressure-related concerns you have.

Should I Go To Urgent Care For Low Blood Pressure

Normally low blood pressure is not a matter of concern unless it causes trouble. Sometimes people don’t even know about them having low blood pressure but there are some conditions that need urgent care when having low blood pressure. Pregnancy is one of them.

Low blood pressure pregnancy can lead to many complications. The shock caused by low blood pressure is the most serious condition. If someone is suffering from heart disease then he/she must take low bp seriously.

There are some problems like fast breathing caused by low blood pressure while sleeping. Above mentioned situations need urgent care from doctors.

Summary: Low blood pressure normally does not need more attention but can’t be ignored completely too. It gives rise to many serious problems that need to be cured as soon as possible.

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How To Check Your Blood Pressure

You can check your blood pressure:

• at home yourself using a home blood pressure monitor – talk to your GP about home monitors

Low blood pressure is a measurement of 90/60mmHg or lower.

The first number is the highest pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood around your body. The second number is the lowest pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.

See a GP if you have low blood pressure and keep getting symptoms such as dizziness.

How Is Low Blood Pressure Treated

If your blood pressure is naturally low and isnt causing you any problems it probably wont need any treatment. If you have symptoms and your doctor or nurse feels that you would benefit from treatment, they will try to find the cause of your low blood pressure so that they can find the best way to treat it.

The treatments will vary depending on the cause.

• A change in medications. If your GP thinks that your blood pressure is caused by a medication youre taking they might want to try an alternative medication or a different dose.
• Hormone replacement. If your low blood pressure is caused by a change in certain hormones, for example if your adrenal glands have been damaged, you may be referred to a specialist called an endocrinologist. They might prescribe hormone replacement medication.
• Medicines to stimulate your nerves. If you have a neurological condition, you may be given medicines to stimulate the nerves.
• Medicines for low blood pressure. These medicines narrow your blood vessels or expand the volume of your blood to raise your blood pressure. These are very rarely needed, as the treatments listed above and the changes you can make for yourself are usually enough.

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How Do I Take Care Of Myself

If you have hypotension with symptoms, the best thing you can do is follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on managing this condition. Their recommendations may include any of the following:

• Manage your diet. Following diet recommendations, especially how much salt you should have in your diet, can help avoid symptoms of hypotension.
• Take your medication. These can help you avoid the disruptive symptoms and effects of this condition.
• Dress up. Compression socks, which put light pressure on your legs and feet, can push blood upward and raise your blood pressure.
• Take it slow. Avoid standing up too quickly, especially with orthostatic hypotension. That can help you avoid the dizziness and fainting effects of hypotension.
• Have a seat. If you notice yourself feeling dizzy or lightheaded, sit down. Falling from standing height can put you at risk for severe or even catastrophic injuries from a fall, such as a broken hip, concussion, skull fracture or broken ribs.

What Are The Symptoms

Many people with low blood pressure don’t have any symptoms.

Symptoms to watch for include:

• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.
• Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting.
• Feeling more thirsty than usual.
• Having blurry vision.
• Breathing very fast.

If you have symptoms of low blood pressure, especially dizziness or fainting, call your doctor.

Watch for symptoms of low blood pressure. Tell your doctor when the symptoms happen so he or she can treat them.

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Effective Home Remedies For Low Blood Pressure

• NDTV Food

While you may have heard of hypertension or high blood pressure, suffering from low blood pressure can be as dangerous as well. An optimal blood pressure reading is less than 120mm Hg and above 80 mm Hg. The first number indicates the systolic pressure or the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills with them with blood. The second number represents the diastolic pressure which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. Low blood pressure or hypotension may cause inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. A sudden drop in blood pressure often occurs when someone suddenly rises from a lying down or sitting position. This is called postural hypo-tension and may cause light-headedness and dizziness. There are some home remedies for low blood pressure that you can employ in order to deal with the symptoms of erratic blood pressure. But if youve been feeling the following symptoms for a while, consult your doctor and get your blood pressure measured

• Fatigue
• Loss of consciousness
• Blurry vision

Once your doctor confirms that your blood pressure is low, follow his advice and take medication if required. A healthy low blood pressure diet is important for low blood pressure treatment. Along with that, heres more homely help. Your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining your blood pressure.