(Hypotension)
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- What is hypotension?
- Symptoms of hypotension
- Causes of hypotension
- Prevention of hypotension
- Risk factors for hypotension
- Complications of hypotension
- When to see a doctor about hypotension
- Diagnosis of hypotension
- Conventional treatment of hypotension
- Alternative/complementary treatment of hypotension
- Living with hypotension
- Caring for someone with hypotension
Risk factors for hypotension (low blood pressure)
There are a number of factors which may predispose a person to hypotension (low blood pressure):
- Age - just being older predisposes people to developing lowered blood pressure, especially if their arteries and blood vessels are not as elastic and healthy as they should be
- Certain illnesses - certain illnesses will predispose people to having lowered blood pressure. The most common conditions to cause lowered blood pressure are: anaemia, diabetes, serious bacterial or viral infection that causes fever, diarrhoea and/or vomiting and heart disease
- Certain medications - people taking certain medications, especially high blood pressure lowering medications (diuretics, beta blockers and others) can be at a higher risk for experiencing low blood pressure, especially if their dosage is too high
- Dehydration - in more serious cases of dehydration, the levels of the electrolytes can become seriously depleted and this increases the risk of experiencing lowered blood pressure
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- Heart attack - people that experience a heart attack will not be getting enough blood flow to their heart (and other organs) and will experience low blood pressure
- Heavy menstruation - women who have very heavy bleeding in their menstrual cycle may be more likely to experience the symptoms of temporary low blood pressure
- Hypoglycaemia - people who have drops in blood sugar levels (either from not eating enough food, or through diabetes) are more at risk of experiencing the symptoms of low blood pressure
- Pregnancy - some women who are pregnant are at a higher risk for experiencing slightly lowered blood pressure in the first half of their pregnancy. This is not usually very serious
- Serious accident or injury - people who are involved in a serious accident or injury that also experience heavy blood loss are at a much higher risk for experiencing very low blood pressure due to the blood loss
- Standing up too quickly - sometimes when people stand up very quickly after sitting or especially lying down, they can experience the symptoms of low blood pressure
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< 4: prevention 6: complications > Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
