hypotension

Symptoms

Low blood pressure symptoms when the BP level is abnormally low include the following:

·         Light headed

·         Dizzy

·         Fatigue on exertion

·         Fainting

·         Transient blurring of vision

·         Transient confusion

When you have symptoms from a drop in blood pressure, you should immediately sit or lie down and raise your feet above heart level.

If low blood pressure causes a person to pass out (become unconscious), seek immediate medical treatment or call the local emergency number. If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR.

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

·         Black or maroon stools

·         Chest pain

·         Dizziness, lightheadedness

·         Fainting

·         Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit

·         Irregular heartbeat

·         Shortness of breath

    Also call your doctor if you have:

·         Burning with urination or other urinary symptoms

·         Cough with phlegm

·         Inability to eat or drink

·         Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting

Prevention

If you have low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend certain steps to prevent or reduce your symptoms. This may include:

•             Avoiding alcohol

•             Avoiding standing for a long time

•             Drinking plenty of fluids

•             Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down

•             Using compression stockings to increase blood pressure in the legs

•             Calling your health care provider

If you have an underlying medical problem that causes low blood pressure, seek treatment for the underlying condition. For many people, chronic low blood pressure can be effectively treated with diet and lifestyle changes.

Initially, your doctor may counsel you to increase your blood pressure by making these simple changes:

·         Eat a diet higher in salt.

·         Decrease your intake of caffeine.

·         Drink lots of nonalcoholic fluids -- a minimum of eight glasses per day. Sports drinks that are high in sodium and potassium are recommended, especially during exercise or in hot weather.

·         Drink more fluids during hot weather and while sick with a viral illness, such as a cold or the flu.

·         Have your doctor evaluate your prescription and over-the-counter medications to identify any that may be causing your symptoms.

·         Get regular exercise to promote blood flow.

·         Be careful when rising from lying down or sitting. To improve circulation, pump your feet and ankles a few times before standing up. Then proceed slowly. When getting out of bed, sit upright on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before standing.

·         Elevate the head of your bed at night by placing bricks or blocks under the head of bed.

·         Avoid heavy lifting.

·         Avoid straining while on the toilet.

·         Avoid prolonged exposure to hot water, such as hot showers and spas. If you get dizzy, sit down. It may be helpful to keep a chair or stool in the shower in case you need to sit; to help prevent injury, use a nonslip chair or stool designed for use in showers and bath tubs.

·         To avoid problems with low blood pressure and lessen episodes of dizziness after meals, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Rest after eating. Avoid taking drugs to lower blood pressure before meals. If needed, use elastic support (compression) stockings that cover the calf and thigh. These may help restrict blood flow to the legs, thus keeping more blood in the upper body.

sources:

PubMed Health 

WebMD 

**for self reminder