Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the flow of blood on the wall of arteries. The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg is considered as borderline high blood pressure whereas 99/60 mm Hg is considered as borderline low blood pressure. Most of us are aware of the fact that high blood pressure is harmful to health as it can lead to heart diseases and heart attack. We tend to ignore the effects of low blood pressure or hypotension on the body. It should be noted that having blood pressure that is too low, is equally harmful to the human body.

Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension is a condition that develops when the blood pressure drops drastically due to several reasons. As mentioned above, blood pressure with a range of 90/60 mm Hg is known as borderline low blood pressure. On the other hand, if the blood pressure drops to further 60/40 mm Hg or 50/30 mm Hg, then it is a sign of danger. Note that this condition can have negative effects on the heart, the brain as well as the kidneys. It should also be noted that fainting, headaches, shock, kidney problems and even heart attack are some of the common effects of hypotension.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Causes

If the volume of the blood is affected in some ways, it can have an impact on the blood pressure leading to low blood pressure. Secondly, certain disease and disorders, use of medications can also cause hypotension. The following are the prominent causes.

Dehydration
Dehydration causes the blood pressure to lower in people, specially in women. In severe cases of dehydration, the volume of blood also decreases which leads to a drop in blood pressure leading to hypotension.

Blood Loss
As mentioned above, blood loss is one of the most common causes of low blood pressure. Blood loss due to injury, internal or external bleeding; caused due to diseases like ulcers and diverticulitis, etc. results in lowered blood pressure.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy is also termed as one of the major reasons for low blood pressure in women. As the circulatory system of a woman expands during pregnancy, blood pressure tends to drop which leads to hypotension. This condition should also be treated as soon as possible.

Medications
Use of medications like diuretics and high blood pressure medications like beta blockers is also one of the major low diastolic blood pressure causes. One should note that hypotension can also be one of the severe side effects of several medications like alpha blockers, antidepressants, drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, Parkinson's disease, etc.

Diseases and Disorders
Low blood pressure is also a symptom of several diseases and disorders like hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, low blood sugar, heart failure, diabetes, endocrine problems, etc.

Apart from the above mentioned ones, other causes also include weakened heart muscles, pericarditis, bradycardia, tachycardia, septicemia, allergies, etc. Symptoms of low blood pressure include fainting, headache, dizziness, changes in breathing patterns, cold and clammy body, nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, etc. All causes of low blood pressure can be treated individually with the help of different treatment methods. Therefore, it is essential to get the exact cause diagnosed properly.

Lastly, on a concluding note, one should remember that hypotension can lead to life-threatening consequences, and hence, it is essential to get the condition treated immediately. Hence, if you observe any of the above mentioned symptoms, you should consult the doctor immediately. Take care!