Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

As the opposite of hypertension…hypotension is defined as having a blood pressure that is below normal both consecutively and consistently over a period of time.  So if you’re blood pressure is high, you are encouraged to work hard to get it lower, but what is too low?  Maintaining your blood pressure in the normal range can be rather challenging because if it’s too high or too low you won’t feel top notch.  Total Home Health would like to take this time to inform you about just what hypotension is all about and extend to you tips that can be beneficial to your health both now and in the future.

Let’s take just a second and refresh your memory on what your blood pressure is and what those numbers mean.  Your blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure that is in your arteries during both the active and resting phase each and every time your heart beats.  When your provider takes your blood pressure, there will be two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressure.

Ø  Systolic Pressure.

·      This is the top number in your reading.  This is the amount of pressure that your heart exerts when it pumps blood through your arteries and out into the rest of your body.

Ø  Diastolic Pressure.

·      This is the bottom number in your reading.  This is the amount of pressure in your arteries that remains when your heart is at rest between beats.

Of course everyone has different blood pressure results, what is considered low for you may be normal for the next person.  Current guidelines state that a normal blood pressure is anything lower than 120/80 mmHg.  However, if your health care provider assesses your blood pressure and it is 90/60 mmHg or lower, that is be considered low.  It becomes hypotension if your blood pressure is consistently low with other noticeable symptoms.  Your blood pressure results may vary at any given time due to things such as the position of your body, your stress level, medications you take, and more.  Generally, your blood pressure is the lowest at night, or while you’re asleep.  

The cause of your low blood pressure can be anything from being dehydrated to having a serious medical condition.  Whatever the cause, it is important for your provider to determine what is going on in order to get you treated and headed in the right direction as quickly as possible.  Keep in mind that if your low blood pressure is left untreated and becomes severe, it can be life-threatening.

For you or your loved one, low blood pressure can be the result of another underlying problem that may not have surfaced just yet.  This is especially the truth when your blood pressure suddenly drops or when it is accompanied by any of the following signs and symptoms when it does drop:

Ø  Dizziness

Ø  Fainting

Ø  Difficulty concentrating

Ø  Being thirsty

Ø  Experiencing depression

Ø  Tiring easily and feeling tired more often

Ø  Rapid and shallow breathing

Ø  Nausea

Ø  Blurry vision

Ø  Cold and pale skin

Generally in more instances than not, low blood pressure is not always a serious issue…but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the signs and symptoms.  If you have blood pressure readings that are consistently low, make sure you tell your health care provider even if you do not have any of the other symptoms.  It is better to be safe than sorry. 

Let’s say you’re out in the hot sun all day or you spend too much time in the hot tub that evening…those situations can cause you to become dizzy or feel lightheaded just from being mildly dehydrated.  But in those instances, it is not about how far your blood pressure has dropped, but how quickly it has dropped.  You may even feel lightheaded if you change positions too quickly…just take caution and be aware of what situations cause you to feel those symptoms so you can inform your provider.

Some medical conditions may also be causing you to have low blood pressure, including:

Ø  Various heart conditions

Ø  Endocrine disorders

·      Thyroid disorders, low blood sugar, parathyroid disorders

Ø  Dehydration

Ø  Blood loss

Ø  Severe infection

Ø  Allergic reactions

Ø  Lack of nutrients in your diet

·      Lack of vitamin B12 and folate can cause anemia, which means your body will not have an adequate red blood cells in circulation which will cause low blood pressure.

Ø  Various medications

As with just about everything else in the medical world there are things that could put you or your loved one at an increased risk for developing hypotension, these include:

Ø  Age

·      A drop in blood pressure upon standing up or after eating occurs more often in those over the age of 65. 

Ø  Medications

·      Water pills, medications for depression and Parkinson’s disease are just a few that may cause low blood pressure.

Ø  Other Conditions

·      Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and some heart conditions can put you at a greater risk.

Once your provider makes a definitive diagnosis that you indeed are suffering from hypotension, an individualized treatment regimen will be created for you.  Total Home Health also has a program that is right for you related to management of your blood pressure.  Our professionals will continue to implement your prescribed plan of care in order to maintain your blood pressure and prevent any further complications.  Plus, at Total Home Health we will help you to make simple changes in your daily routine that could help raise and maintain your blood pressure such as drinking more water, wearing compression stockings, and possibly using more salt when you eat.  Ultimately our number one priority at Total Home Health is YOU, and we’ll do whatever it takes to see that you are healthy and satisfied.  Enroll with us today and let us help you to continue to lead a satisfying life.