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MY
HEALTH
Hypotension:
Low Blood
Pressure
Posted:
Dec 2009
What
is hypotension? What are main
causes of hypotension? What is
the treatment of hypotension?
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Measuring
blood pressure is determined
by two values: the upper, or
systolic pressure (the
pressure in blood vessels
when the heart contract
and full strength push the blood
through the arteries)
or lower and diastolic (the
pressure in blood vessels
between the heart, the
moment when the heart is
completely relaxed) . Blood
is pushed through arteries based on pressure difference that exists
between the heart and small
blood vessels in the
peripheral tissues. Pressure
values are constantly
changing depending on the
daily activities, stress,
amount of adrenaline, fluids
and salts in the
circulation.
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It
is
considered
that
the ideal pressure of 120/80
mmHg.
Values
of systolic pressure of 120-139
and diastolic of 80-89 mmHg
called pre-hypertension
and they do not require
treatment. The
values of 140/90 mmHg are
defined as hypertension and
require treatment.
On
the other hand, there are no
defined values below which it
is said
that a person has low blood
pressure. Under low blood
pressure (hypotension) we include
values that are significantly
lower than those in which the
body is used to. The
matter of low pressure is
relative term,
because one may have a lower
pressure than the average for
his age, and to be perfectly
healthy (athletes and trained
individuals).
Low
blood pressure is a problem only
if it reflects negatively on the
body. The term Hypotension used
only when the pressure falls too
low, and blood cannot be in
sufficient quantity to reach
every part of the body,
especially to the brain,
resulting in dizziness,
drowsiness, general, and
extremely
the
loss of consciousness.
Of
course, the people who usually
have lower values of pressure,
the critical limit is reached
more easily. Most often this is
happening at a fast rising from the bed or chair. Normal blood pressure
response to rapidly rising
from bed is fall of systolic pressure of 10 mmHg and a
slight jump diastolic pressure
(about 2.5 mmHg).
The
first step in treatment is the
elimination of the causes of
hypotension. First
you
need
to gradually increase daily
intake of water, and then salt
(up to seven grams per day, not
more than 10 grams).
It is necessary also to create a
habit that changes
body positions
are performed slowly. Before
rising from bed several times
bend the foot upwards,
wear elastic stockings that are
recommended for people with weak
veins, exercise physical
activity, eat more often,
but smaller quantities.
It
is important to avoid
long-standing position without
changing the body, rapidly
rising, heavy meals, alcohol, non-ventilated
and heated rooms. You should
avoid dehydration, working with
hands above the head and
hyperventilation.
Only if these measures do not
give the results you
should
be thinking about taking drugs, with
the advice of doctors and with
control. Medication
used are
hormonal
preparations or other
substances
that can have many side effects.
Factors
that cause or create a
predisposition for low pressure,
and they can be eliminated are:
bleeding, taking excessive doses
of drugs for the decrease
of pressure, allergic reactions,
infections, emotional stress,
pain, taking antidepressants,
heart disease and so on.
However, the most common is
dehydration, especially during
the summer heat.
A person with low pressure should
drink
at least three liters of water a
day, instead of drugs, at the
time of exhaustion to eat salty
cucumber or any salty
food
with two or three glasses of
water. Healthy kidneys will
remove all excess water.
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