Hypotension is when the blood pressure value is less than 9 by 6 (90 mmHg x 60 mmHg). Hypotension usually does not cause symptoms, but if the pressure drops too quickly, it can cause headache, dizziness, weakness and a feeling of fainting.
Hypotension is very common after a sudden change in posture, such as getting out of bed quickly, and is called postural hypotension, but it can also arise due to some health problems, such as dehydration, infection or heart disease, for example.
It is advisable to consult a general practitioner or cardiologist when hypotension is suspected, especially in the presence of symptoms, in order to identify whether there is a problem that requires appropriate treatment.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of hypotension are:
- Feeling of lack of energy or weakness;
- Headache;
- Heavy head and feeling of emptiness;
- Dizziness or vertigo;
- Nausea;
- Moist skin;
- Pallor;
- Blurred or blurred vision;
- Somnolence;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Mental confusion, especially in the elderly;
- Rapid breathing;
- Weak and rapid pulse;
- Loss of consciousness or fainting.
It is also very common for hypotension to not cause any symptoms, especially in people who normally already have low blood pressure.
If any of these symptoms appear, it is important to consult a cardiologist or go to a health center to evaluate the symptoms, diagnose hypotension and initiate the most appropriate treatment.
In addition, you should seek the emergency room or the nearest UPA, in cases where more than one fainting occurs, the symptoms do not improve within a few hours or there is mental confusion, increased heart rate or rapid breathing, as these may indicate more serious health problems that need to be identified and treated as quickly as possible.
Blood pressure calculator
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What to do in a hypotension crisis
During a hypotension crisis, there are some measures that can be taken to help reduce discomfort, such as:
- Sit with your head between your legsin a cool and ventilated place to avoid fainting;
- Lie down with your legs elevatedabove the level of the heart, more or less 45º from the floor, as it allows blood to flow towards the heart and brain more easily, increasing pressure;
- Loosen your clothesespecially around the neck, to breathe better;
- Drink liquids like watercoffee or orange juice, when the person is recovered, to help increase blood pressure.
It is important to seek medical help if hypotension crises are frequent, so that the cause can be assessed and the treatment recommended by the doctor can be started.
Possible causes
Hypotension can occur in anyone and at any age, and may have no apparent cause, and is not a cause for concern, especially when there are no associated symptoms.
Furthermore, there are other factors that can also contribute to the development of hypotension, which include:
- Pregnancy;
- Dehydration;
- Heart problems such as heart attack, heart failure or heart valve disease;
- Endocrine problems such as Addison’s disease, hypoglycemia or diabetes;
- Serious injuries or internal bleeding, which lead to the loss of large volumes of blood;
- Severe burns;
- Generalized infection;
- Severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock;
- Use of medications such as diuretics, beta blockers, antidepressants, medications for Parkinson’s disease or erectile dysfunction, for example.
Furthermore, another cause of hypotension is anemia caused by nutritional deficiency of vitamin B12, folate or iron, for example, as it prevents the production of red blood cells in the blood and the oxygenation of tissues, causing a decrease in blood pressure.
Postural hypotension
Postural hypotension, also called orthostatic hypotension, consists of a sudden drop in blood pressure when the person stands up quickly from a lying or sitting position, causing symptoms of dizziness, blurred vision or even fainting. Learn more about postural hypotension.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of hypotension must be made by a cardiologist based on symptoms, assessment of personal and family history and assessment of blood pressure.
In addition, the doctor may recommend a blood test to check whether there is another condition that could be causing hypotension, such as diabetes, hypoglycemia or anemia, for example.
The cardiologist may also request an electrocardiogram to check changes in the heart, such as the rhythm and frequency of the heartbeat, or the tilt test, also known as a tilt test or postural stress test, to investigate how the body reacts to changes in position. Understand better what the tilt test and what it is for.
How the treatment is carried out
Hypotension that does not cause symptoms and has no apparent cause generally does not require specific medical treatment.
However, when hypotension generates some type of discomfort or causes mild symptoms, the doctor may recommend some measures to combat low blood pressure, such as:
- Drink 1 to 2 liters of water per dayas it helps to increase blood volume and prevent dehydration;
- Wear elastic stockingsto help return blood from the legs to the heart, improving blood pressure;
- Get up slowlybreathing deeply;
- Increase salt consumption, in order to try to increase blood pressure. However, this increase should only be done under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist, as excessive use of salt can end up being harmful to your health;
- Eat small mealseating little at shorter intervals, every 2 or 3 hours;
- Taking high blood pressure medication correctlyaccording to the doctor’s instructions and never in doses higher than that indicated;
- Practice physical activity regularlyrecommended by your doctor, to strengthen the muscles of your arms and legs, as it helps blood reach the heart and brain more easily.
When hypotension is caused by a health problem, such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, anemia or heart failure, for example, the doctor must indicate specific treatment for each disease.
It is important to follow up with a cardiologist regularly, and if the cause of hypotension is due to the use of medication, the doctor may change the doses or replace the medication with another. It is important to emphasize that only the doctor should make changes to any type of treatment, and the person should not start taking medication or stop treatment on their own.
