What is low blood pressure?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Pham Van Hung - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Blood pressure is one of the simplest parameters to assess the state of human health. Low blood pressure will make us lightheaded, dizzy or even ischemic to the brain, causing many dangerous complications.

Stable blood pressure will reflect the circulating volume in the body is stable circulation, blood is regularly pumped by the heart to supply organs. If blood pressure suddenly rises or falls abnormally, it makes the body uncomfortable and sometimes leads to dangerous diseases.
Hypotension is when the systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure is less than 60 mmHg.

Signs of a sudden drop in blood pressure is that the patient will have a feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness, dizziness, palpitations, heart palpitations; More severe symptoms may include lethargy, confusion, fainting, and loss of consciousness. A sudden drop in blood pressure makes the brain and other organs in the body not receive enough blood to supply oxygen and nutrients, which can cause cerebral ischemia and brain death, which is life-threatening.
Therefore, when measuring blood pressure and showing low blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg, there must be a way to give first aid quickly and properly, in case the patient's condition worsens, it is necessary to quickly take the patient to the emergency room nearest medical facility for timely intervention.

Our blood pressure is a number that reflects the physiological state of the body, so it does not always stay the same or keep the same number but will change depending on their activities, emotions or health status. us at that time.
For low blood pressure, one of the common causes is the side effect of antihypertensive drugs, especially diuretics. The role of diuretics is to increase the excretion of water out of the body by the way that water is eliminated through the kidneys. Since then, the volume of fluid in the circulatory system also gradually decreases, reducing the pressure in the blood vessels; This will help lower blood pressure. However, if the drug is overdosed, the patient urinates too much, the excessive loss of water in the blood vessels will cause a drop in blood pressure. In addition, groups of vasodilators in the treatment of hypertension can also cause hypotension if treated with high doses and in combination with multiple drug groups.
Blood pressure will also drop as the circulating fluid volume decreases. That's when we lose water due to excessive sweating, acute diarrhea, vomiting or massive bleeding. A healthy person can also experience a sudden drop in blood pressure after taking a hot bath, sauna, or steam bath. Elderly people or people with peripheral neuropathy complications due to diabetes for many years are prone to postural hypotension, causing lightheadedness, dizziness when changing positions suddenly, lying down or sitting suddenly standing up.
Some less common cases of hypotension are due to severe heart failure, too fast heart rate or due to septic shock, anaphylaxis.

When there are signs of low blood pressure, the first thing to do is to put the patient down or lie down. Choose a quiet place to rest, avoid noise or excitement that will make the situation worse. In addition, giving the patient a cup of warm water, such as warm tea or ginger water, then measuring the blood pressure will see a partial recovery.
If you are being treated with antihypertensive drugs, you need to stop the drug immediately and re-examine soon. At this time, it is necessary to inform the doctor about the measured blood pressure and signs at that time to adjust the medicine more appropriately.
In case there is a drop in blood pressure with repeated vomiting or diarrhea, especially the elderly and young children, it is necessary to restore the lost water and electrolytes by drinking oresol solutions, milk, vegetable broth. , porridge... If low blood pressure is accompanied by injury or bleeding, you must stop the bleeding initially and go to the hospital immediately for emergency treatment.
Particularly for people with low blood pressure, they should eat more salt than normal people; Eat a variety of nutrients, meals, a variety of vitamins. Drink plenty of water to help increase blood volume and avoid alcoholic beverages. In addition, it is necessary to live in moderation, get enough sleep, avoid overwork or sudden changes in position. Sleeping should be pillowed low, legs high. If you have to walk a lot, you should wear compression stockings to avoid blood pooling in your legs and return to your heart more easily. In addition, it is necessary to keep the spirit of optimism, joy, avoid too strong emotions such as fear, anxiety, depression, which can further lower blood pressure.
Finally, the most important thing to note is to regularly monitor blood pressure at home of yourself and your loved ones, to know your health status and have timely intervention, to avoid unfortunate consequences. may happen.
Visiting the hospital about your blood pressure is the most accurate way to assess whether your blood pressure is high, low or normal. Cardiovascular screening package at Vinmec International General Hospital - the leading prestigious hospital in the field of examination, screening and detection of cardiovascular diseases - will help protect the cardiovascular health of customers comprehensively and effectively. fruit.
Master, Doctor Pham Van Hung has 30 years of experience in examination and treatment of internal diseases, especially in Cardiology: coronary arteries, heart failure, heart valves, arrhythmias. ..Master, Doctor Hung used to hold the position of Deputy Head of Internal Cardiology Department and Head of Interventional Cardiology Unit at Da Nang General Hospital and is currently working at Department of Examination and Internal Medicine, Internal Cardiology, Cardiology. Interventional circuit at Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.