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Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood pressure during and after each heartbeat is much lower than usual. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood.

See also: Blood pressure

Low blood pressure; Blood pressure - low; Postprandial hypotension; Orthostatic hypotension; Neurally mediated hypotension; NMH

Blood pressure that is borderline low for one person may be normal for another. The most important factor is how the blood pressure changes from the normal condition.

Most normal blood pressures fall in the range of 90/60 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) to 130/80 mm Hg. But a significant drop, even as little as 20 mm Hg, can cause problems for some people.

There are three main types of hypotension:

• Orthostatic hypotension, including postprandial orthostatic hypotension
• Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH)
• Severe hypotension brought on by a sudden loss of blood (shock)

Orthostatic hypotension is brought on by a sudden change in body position, usually when shifting from lying down to standing. This type of hypotension usually lasts only a few seconds or minutes. If this type of hypotension occurs after eating, it is called postprandial orthostatic hypotension. This form most commonly affects older adults, those with high blood pressure, and persons with Parkinson's disease.

NMH most often affects young adults and children. It occurs when a person has been standing for a long time. Children usually outgrow this type of hypotension.

Low blood pressure is commonly caused by drugs such as:

• Alcohol
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Certain antidepressants
• Diuretics
• Heart medicines, including those used to treat high blood pressure and coronary heart disease
• Medications used for surgery
• Painkillers

Other causes of low blood pressure include:

• Advanced diabetes
• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic response)
• Changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
• Dehydration
• Fainting
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Shock (from severe infection, stroke, anaphylaxis, major trauma, or heart attack)

Symptoms may include:

• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fainting (syncope)
• Light-headedness
• Sleepiness
• Weakness

The health care provider will examine you and try to determine what is causing the low blood pressure. Your vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) will be checked frequently. You may need to stay in the hospital for a while.

The doctor will ask questions, including:

• What is your normal blood pressure?
• What medications do you take?
• Have you been eating and drinking normally?
• Have you had any recent illness, accident, or injury?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• Did you faint or become less alert?
• Do you feel dizzy or light-headed when standing or sitting after lying down?

The following tests may be done:

• Blood cultures to check for infection
• Complete blood count (CBC) and other blood tests, including blood differential
• ECG
• Urinalysis
• X-ray of the abdomen
• X-ray of the chest

Low blood pressure can usually be treated with success.

• Shock
• Injury from falls due to fainting

Falls are particularly dangerous for older adults. Fall-related injuries, such as a broken hip, can dramatically impact a person's quality of life.

Severe hypotension starves your body of oxygen, which can damage the heart, brain, and other organs. This type of hypotension can be life threatening if not immediately treated.

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 (such as 911). 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
• 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

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 (if you have NMH)
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down
• Using compression stockings to increase blood pressure in the legs