What does hypotension mean?

What happens when you stand up too quickly and everything goes dark? That could be a sign of hypotension. But what exactly is hypotension? In simple terms, it means that your blood pressure is lower than normal. But let’s delve deeper into this medical term and find out why it matters.

The Basics of Blood Pressure

To understand hypotension, we first have to get familiar with blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the force that moves blood through your body’s arteries. It consists of two numbers: the systolic and diastolic readings.

  • Systolic Reading: This number represents the amount of pressure in your arteries during each heartbeat.
  • Diastolic Reading: This number represents the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.

A typical blood pressure reading is recorded as systolic/diastolic (e.g., 120/80 mmHg).

What Is Hypotension?

Now that we know how to read a standard blood pressure measurement, let’s move onto hypotension. As mentioned earlier, this occurs when our blood pressure drops lower than usual – usually below 90/60 mmHg.

Types of Hypotension

There are different types of hypotension that can occur for various reasons:

  • Orthostatic Hypertension – When you experience sudden low BP due to standing up or sitting down quickly
  • Neurally Mediated Hypoventilation (NMHH) – A condition where breathing becomes shallow resulting in less oxygen intake hence reduced B.P
  • Severe Allergic Reactions– Anaphylaxis
  • Another type might include a significant injury causing internal bleeding which interferes with proper circulation

Common Causes Of Low Blood Pressure (hypersensitive/phobic audience handle with caution)

Here are some prevalent culprits:

  • Dehydration– You know, all that fun you had at the party last night could have done this.
  • Certain Medications: That new prescription you are trying out.
  • Medical conditions:We don’t mean to scare you but obviously, we are upto something
    • Heart problems
    • Endocrine disorders such as diabetes
    • Pregnancy
      -Are my moms out there reading this? My apologies if I made y’all anxious, in fact no scratch all of it.disclaimer
    • Blood loss or other internal problems

Could It Be Because of What I’m Eating?

Yes! Quite surprisingly some foods also happen to be offenders causing hypotension; brace yourself

Some low blood pressure-causing culprits include:

  - Alcohol

  -Caffeine (sorry coffee enthusiasts)

  -Salty food (too much pepper ntakhulume nani)relatable

   Adding more weight once again .disclaimer

How To Spot Low Blood Pressure (the careful reader who is prone towards scanning and skimming and as well my impatient audience read on)

Now then,hypotensive alert signs, watch for these red flags:

  1. Dizziness when standing up abruptly or sitting down for a long time
  2. Blurry vision/Nausea/Trouble focusing
  3. Fatigue which doesn’t let up upon rest (you might need a vacation anyway)
  4. Rapid or shallow breathing .
  5. Increased thirst

If any symptoms seem familiar to you then what next?

Treatment For Hypotension

Treatment solely depends on treating the underlying cause behind your hypo tension.What could this be?,maybe lead a healthy lifestyle re think those questionable choices 😉 .On rare occasions such can become serious leading us into details that im afraid would leave me feeling like Dr.House.Does anyone watch House M.D, if not well where have you been,nice watching those cases being evaluated even though very intimidating?..I digress

Treatments may include:

  • Increasing Salt Intake: Don’t go all French Fries on us, just add a little salt to your meals
  • Staying Hydrated: Water is the source of life actually
  • Wearing Compression Stockings or Abdominal Binders :As prescribed by your physician
  • Avoiding Trigger Foods and Drinks: Say goodbye to that margarita for now. Sorry.

Well There You Have it!

In summary,Hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops lower than usual leading maybe a sense of dizziness,body weakness among other symtomps.Significant dehydration,some medications,pregnancy could trigger hypotenstion.On occassional incidents low blod pressure can be conditon based otherwise leading to fatal complications.We got into the nitty gritties including its treatments especially how your much anticipated margaritas are trade off.I mean why take risky chances anyways right?

                                                                                                                           Thank you

Random Posts