THE hypotension, popularly known as Low pressure, is when blood pressure is very low, which can cause damage to the body.
What is hypotension?
Hypotension is when the body has suboptimal blood pressure, causing blood to not reach enough throughout the body.
Thus, low blood pressure means that the person has numbers lower than 90 mmHg of systolic pressure and 60 mmHg of diastolic pressure, that is, the pressure is less than 9 out of 6.
When the pressure is too low, the cells don't get the oxygen and nutrients they need to maintenance of the body and waste is not disposed of correctly, which can cause damage to the organs.
Hypotension causes the dilation of arterioles to decrease the resistance of blood flow, which means that the heart is pumping less blood, thus changing the width of the arteries, the heart rate and the volume of blood in the heart.
Hypotension symptoms
The most common symptoms presented by those who have hypotension are:
- Dizziness or dizziness;
- Blurred or darkened vision;
- Nausea;
- Fatigue;
- Lack of concentration;
- Fainting;
- Shortness of breathe;
- Chest pain;
- Pallor.
In addition to the symptoms presented, blood pressure can decrease according to the position of the body. When a person is standing, blood pressure tends to be higher in the legs and lower in the head; when you are lying down, the pressure is evened out, being equal throughout the body.
When you get up, your blood pressure also changes and gets lower, because the blood that was in the legs it has difficulty in climbing back to the heart, making it pump less blood.
That's why it's important to sit down when you get up, so that the blood goes back to the heart more easily, normalizing the heartbeat.
Also read about:
- Blood
- Oxygen
- Heart
Causes of hypotension
Hypotension can be caused by several factors, such as:
- dilation of arterioles
- Caused by severe bacterial infections;
- Consequence of the use of some specific medications;
- Allergic reactions.
- Heart diseases
- Heart attack;
- Tachycardia (very fast heartbeat);
- Brachycardia (very slow heartbeat);
- Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
- low blood volume
- Dehydration;
- Bleeding.
Read too:
- Hypertension
- Human Body
- Cardiovascular system
Hypotension treatment
Treatment for hypotension can vary according to each person, in which the causes and symptoms presented are taken into account. In some cases, the use of specific medications may be recommended, which must be prescribed by doctors.
In general, it is recommended to take some measures that can help to restore normal blood pressure.
- Lie down in a comfortable position, keeping your head in line with your body;
- Raise your feet so that you are higher than your heart and head;
- Drink water or juice in small sips;
- Avoid going too long without eating.
Types of hypotension
Hypotension can have different types that have their own characteristics. Below are the most common types.
Postural hypotension
Postural hypotension is also known as orthostatic hypotension and occurs after a person has been in one position for a long time and moves quickly. This sudden movement causes blood flow and pressure not to adjust to the body quickly.
Thus, the recommendation is to return to the starting position and move more slow and gradual, helping blood flow and pressure to arrive correctly in all parts of the body.
Neural mediated hypotension
Neural-mediated hypotension is very common in children and young people and occurs when there is a failure in communication between the brain and the heart. It usually happens when a person stands for a long time, thus accumulating blood in the legs and contributing to the drop in pressure.
postprandial hypotension
Postprandial hypotension is more common in the elderly and usually occurs after food is eaten, as blood flows to the digestive system.
Shy-Drager Syndrome
Shy-Drager syndrome is a disease of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for controlling heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and breathing.
Gestation
THE pregnancy it can also cause hypotension, especially between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. The main cause is that in this period the baby is developing and thus, needing blood in the placenta.
Read too:
- arteries
- body veins human
- Vases blood
- systole and diastole
