Low Blood Pressure - Signs, Symptoms, Effects, Causes and Treatment of Low Blood Pressure
For those who battle the effects of high blood pressure, low blood pressure almost seems like a joke. But it’s not a joke and the effects can be just as dangerous as high blood pressure, though it affects the body in dramatically different ways.
The first important thing to note about low blood pressure is that there isn’t a numerical reading to indicate the problem. Your doctor won’t say that you have low blood pressure because your blood pressure readings are below a specific point. Instead of the numerical reading determining that low blood pressure exists, the symptoms make that determination.
For example, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute defines normal blood pressure as anything below 120-139 for a top number and below 89 for the bottom number. So a person with a blood pressure of 100/70 is technically said to have normal blood pressure. But if that blood pressure isn’t sufficient for blood to flow through the body and to provide the oxygen and nutrients to the vital organs, the person will show symptoms of low blood pressure. Therefore, it’s not only when the blood pressure falls significantly low – 80/50, for example – that low blood pressure exists.
By the same token, a person who has chronic high blood pressure that suddenly drops to 130/80 may also experience the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure.
While some who have high blood pressure would say that it would be better to have low blood pressure, the effects of both are permanent and irreversible damage to the body. It’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, but also to pay attention to the signs of your body. If you experience weakness, dizziness, ringing in the ears or a general run-down feeling, you may very well have low blood pressure. Couple that with blood pressure readings that run on the low side or normal (or lower), and you should talk to your doctor.
One of the common causes of low blood pressure is internal bleeding. Issues such as hemorrhoids, ulcers and other internal bleeding can naturally lower blood pressure. Typically, the body’s first response to this situation is for the heart to beat faster in an attempt to compensate. That may lead to damage to the heart as the muscle works to compensate. Heart attacks are common when victims of accidents face tremendous blood loss.
Dehydration is another common cause of low blood pressure. This doesn’t have to be brought on by a long period of not drinking. Illness can also prompt this condition. If you have diarrhea or are vomiting, you may not be retaining sufficient liquids to keep your blood pressure at normal levels. Severe sweating over a long period of time may also prompt blood pressure levels to drop dramatically.
The kidneys are among the first organs to show damage from prolonged periods of low blood pressure. That’s because blood flow to the kidneys is the first to be restricted as the body attempts to make up for the lower blood pressure. If blood pressure becomes too low, the body can go into shock.
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