If you have symptoms like dizziness and nausea, it could be a sign that your blood pressure is too low for good health. And aside from dizziness and nausea, you may experience despair, tiredness, blurry vision, fast breathing, chest pain, and focus deficiency. You may also feel thirsty if your low pressure is due to dehydration.
Causes of low blood pressure
Dilated blood vessels
Sometimes your blood vessels dilate. This means there’s more space for blood to spread out, putting less pressure on the walls of those vessels. Some drugs, such as vasodilators, can cause this, as well as spinal injuries that damage certain nerves, severe bacterial infections, and allergic reactions. Furthermore, hormone complications like Addison’s disease can also cause it.
Heart problems
The more blood your heart pumps per minute, the higher your blood pressure. However, some medications, hormonal problems, or heart damage can cause your heart to beat too slowly, which lowers blood pressure. Moreso, it could be that your heart doesn’t pump as much blood per beat because your heart is not as strong as it used to be due to a heart attack, heart failure, or problems with the valves.
Insufficient blood
Insufficient blood means less pressure on your veins and arteries. An injury might cause you to bleed inside your body or outside. This might also occur if you don’t get enough to drink, your blood vessels leak fluid, or you have a blood condition called anemia. Occasionally, your kidneys get rid of too much fluid because of illness or certain drugs, like diuretics.
Standing quickly or for too long
When you stand quickly, your brain may not receive the message promptly enough, and you may feel lightheaded. You might even faint. And when you stand on your feet for long periods, blood can start to pool in your legs. So, if your brain doesn’t tell your heart to pump enough to keep your blood pressure up, it might drop low enough to make you dizzy and nauseous. You might even pass out.
Treatment of low blood pressure
Once your doctor knows your symptoms, blood tests can help diagnose the reason for your low blood pressure. Treatment can then commence on the causes and conditions of low blood pressure.
If medication is the problem, you may need to change it or lower the dose, but always consult your doctor first. Other drugs can help increase your blood pressure if needed, and compression socks can help push blood up from where it pools in your legs. However, if you don’t have bothersome symptoms, you might not need treatment.
Lifestyle changes
You can help lessen the symptoms of low blood pressure at home by:
- Drinking more water (unless your doctor has restricted your fluid intake) keeps your blood volume up, which raises blood pressure.
- Adding a bit more salt to your diet, but check with your doctor first.
- Eating various small low-carb meals, instead of three big ones, if your pressure drops after eating.
- Cutting back on alcohol. It can dehydrate you and lower blood volume and blood pressure.
When to seek medical attention
Seek medical attention immediately if you feel confused, notice fast, shallow breathing, a weak, rapid pulse, or cold, clammy skin. Lower blood pressure numbers, especially without other symptoms, aren’t usually a sign of a big problem. But talk to your doctor if you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded as well.
How To Lower High Blood Pressure Healthily
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3929-anemia
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