What pressure is considered to be lowered with hypotension

Low blood pressure (hypotension) occurs when the force with which the heart pumps blood through the arteries is significantly reduced. At the same time, severe hypotension can accompany critical conditions such as sepsis, shock, and anemia.

Hypotension is often manifested by various symptoms: from nausea, dizziness to rapid heartbeat. Checking blood pressure is an important part of assessing a patient for hypotension.

Unfortunately, the problem does not always manifest characteristic signs. Even the highest blood pressure can be completely asymptomatic. Similarly, low blood pressure, known as hypotension, may be present in a person, despite the absence of any symptoms.

Video: Blood Pressure Regulation | Hypotension | Part 1  Low pressure

Description of low blood pressure

In general, hypotension can be considered as a disorder of various cardiac functions, which may cause the following disorders:

• Contractile dysfunction . If bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate) or tachycardia (fast, irregular heart rhythm) occurs, blood pressure may decrease.
• Pumping violations . The development of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or cardiogenic shock also cause low blood pressure. Other conditions, such as hypothermia or heart block, can also affect the ability of the heart to pump blood.
• Bulk frustration . When hypovolemic shock, severe dehydration, hemorrhage, septic shock, anaphylaxis, neurogenic shock associated with damage to the spinal cord, can cause a sharp decrease in blood pressure.

The easiest way to determine the level of blood pressure (BP) is to measure it with a tonometer (electronic or mechanical).

Low blood pressure means poor perfusion, and this can lead to no less complications than with very high pressure.

Very low blood pressure should be evaluated and treated as a matter of urgency.

Evaluation of low blood pressure should include retesting pressure and careful monitoring over time. If the patient has recently changed his position, he should be returned to the position on the back, and then the blood pressure will be rechecked again after a few minutes.

Symptoms of low blood pressure

In order to get an answer to the question, what pressure is considered to be lowered with hypotension, it is necessary to become familiar with the characteristic signs of the disease. Often, lowering blood pressure can be a goal for those at risk for heart disease. Additionally, low BP in stroke can indicate a major health problem, such as a heart condition, a thyroid condition, or a neurological disorder. Such conditions most often begin with symptoms:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• severe fainting.

The above symptoms are the most common. A fairly quick response helps to establish the cause of the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

When is blood pressure considered low?

Blood pressure (high or low) depends on the strength of the blood flow from which the heart throws it into the cavity of the arteries. Blood pressure readings vary from person to person and depend on age, gender, genetic predisposition.For example, low blood pressure in athletes or other physically trained people may indicate good health.

According to clinical findings, hypotension (or low blood pressure) is determined in the case when the blood pressure is 90 mm Hg. Art. (millimeters of mercury) and less systolic blood pressure and 60 mm Hg. Art. and less diastolic blood pressure.

However, low blood pressure is indicated only if there are concomitant symptoms (i.e. dizziness, fainting). However, official data from the National Institute of Health (NIH) show that hypotension is most often associated with another pathology.

Early symptoms of low blood pressure

The most common signs of low blood pressure are dizziness and fainting . However, it may also occur:

• extreme tiredness for no particular reason;
• blurred vision;
• severe weakness;
• general confusion of consciousness;
• nausea (often accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea).

Doctors characterize orthostatic hypotension (OG) as low blood pressure, which occurs when you change the position of the body from sitting or lying down to a standing position. Exhaust gas causes a sudden drop in blood pressure to such an extent that fainting can occur.

Neuro-mediated hypotension (or FOOT) can cause a decrease in blood pressure due to prolonged periods of standing (with an increase in the activity of nerve conduction) or in response to an emotional trauma.

In both cases, blood pressure usually returns to normal within a few minutes.

More severe signs of hypotension

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), blood pressure, which is very low, often leads to fainting, irregular heart rhythm, and even convulsive seizures. However, these pronounced signs are often accompanied by a number of other, and often insignificant at first glance, signs, such as chest pain and shortness of breath .

Hypotension can also cause:

• headache;
• pain in the neck;
• chronic cough with sputum;
• painful urination (or dysuria);
• high temperature;
• dark (or resinous) stools;
• pain in the upper back;
• chronic indigestion, which can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.

Such symptoms are considered to be cardinal and associated with the underlying disease, which causes a sharp drop in blood pressure. Doctors should always pay attention to these symptoms.

Hypotension in shock

According to the NIH, low blood pressure can often occur due to shock, which involves depriving the main organs (including the brain) of vital nutrients and oxygen from the blood.

Vasodilation collapse leads to a sharp weakening and relaxation of blood vessels. If the body suffers from a serious impairment of blood circulation due to heart problems, shock can occur, causing the pulse and breathing to accelerate.At the same time, the skin may first feel hot and then cold and sticky to the touch.

Extreme fatigue and confusion often occur before loss of consciousness . The skin can also change its color and acquire a bluish tint. Shock is generally regarded as an emergency and immediate methods of treatment are taken to eliminate it. After stopping the episode of hypotension caused by shock, studies are conducted that allow you to establish the cause of BP reduction.

Common causes of hypotension

There are many causes of low blood pressure. Most often they do not pose a danger to human life:

• Dehydration.
• Pregnancy (due to the increased load on the female’s circulatory system).
• Lack of nutrients in the diet.
• Rapid fluid loss due to heat stroke, diarrhea and vomiting.

If hypotension occurs for the above reasons, it can be quickly eliminated by balancing the level of electrolytes and fluids in the body or (as is the case with pregnancy) proceeds naturally.

In some cases, hypotension may indicate a serious illness, such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), anemia, an infectious disease or hemorrhage, which affects the amount of blood.

Hypotension can also be the result of taking certain medications (for example, diuretics or beta-blockers), which can slow the heart rate and speed of blood circulation through the body.

Heart problems, such as congestive heart failure, congenital or acquired valvular disease, or bradycardia (slow heart rate), can affect the volume of circulating blood and cause hypotension. Several endocrine disorders associated with thyroid function (for example, Addison's disease, hypoglycemia) are often accompanied by hypotension.

Hypotension and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (or EMF) is more likely a genetic disorder in the formation of connective tissue. According to clinical studies, EMF causes low blood pressure due to direct damage to the connective tissue in blood vessels, as well as internal organs, skin and bones.

In Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the aorta can weaken (the largest artery extending from the heart) and lead to rupture of the arteries in the kidneys and spleen. Severe hypotension may indicate a risk of rupture of the blood vessels or the primary organ (intestine or uterus), which can be fatal.

Diagnosis and treatment of hypotension

After an episode of hypotension, which includes many of the symptoms previously discussed, the doctor will most likely refer you to tests to diagnose the causes of low blood pressure. As a rule, a cardiologist specializing in the heart will perform an ECG (electrocardiogram) that examines the activity of the cardiac conduction system. A stress test can also be performed to check the heart under physical exertion. If necessary, you need to wear a small device throughout the day to detect hidden disturbances of the heart rhythm.

If the diagnosis cannot be made, the primary care physician may recommend contacting a neurologist (specialist in neurological diseases) or a nephrologist (specialist in kidney disease). If the cause of hypotension is the wrong drug intake, then the dosages of the drugs can be adjusted or completely eliminated.

Treatment options mainly depend on the underlying disease causing hypotension, as well as general health and age. In many cases, medications are recommended (for example, fludrocortisone and midodrin) and / or lifestyle changes (for example, diet food, yoga, compression stockings to improve blood flow).

Video: "Why is my blood pressure low?" HYPOTENSION