What are the symptoms of low blood pressure? What should be done to avoid it?

Any increase or decrease in blood pressure from normal levels can be signs of potential danger to our health. Low blood pressure happens to many people, mainly people with cardiovascular disease, the elderly, women and has not been given much attention as high blood pressure.

So what are the symptoms of low blood pressure and how to treat this case? Please read along to learn in the following article to recognize and prevent low blood pressure.

What is low blood pressure?

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measurement in millimeters of mercury (abbreviated: MmHg), which represents the force of blood on the artery walls as it flows through. The blood pressure results after the measurement will be displayed on a two-digit number, known as either the systolic and  diastolic blood pressure . A normal blood pressure reading would be at or below 120/80 mmHg.

What is a low blood pressure reading?

Low blood pressure is when the blood pressure reading is below 90/60 mmHg, this condition can be life-threatening if oxygen and nutrients cannot deliver nourishment to the brain, heart and vital organs in time. other.

Low blood pressure is often divided into two types, including:

• Absolute hypotension: Blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg even at rest.
• Orthostatic hypotension : A drop in blood pressure within minutes of a sudden change in position. A decrease of 20 mmHg or more for systolic pressure (top number) and 10 mmHg or more of diastolic pressure (bottom number).

Low blood pressure is just as dangerous as high blood pressure

Causes of low blood pressure 

Causes of lower-than-normal blood pressure may include:

• Change of position: Standing up suddenly from a sitting or lying position can lead to a drop in blood pressure because the amount of blood circulating to the brain may not be responsive;
• People with heart disease: In this case, the efficiency of the heart may be partially reduced, so it may not pump enough blood to keep blood pressure within a normal range;
• Women in pregnancy: During pregnancy, the need for blood to nourish the fetus will increase, sometimes causing the mother's circulation to be changed, leading to low blood pressure;
• After eating: This is the time when the intestines need to increase blood supply to the digestive system, so after eating can cause a drop in blood pressure. This condition is more common in older adults, especially those with heart disease, diabetes, or  Parkinson's disease ;
• After experiencing stressful activities that irritate the vagus nerve and can cause a drop in blood pressure;
• Hormonal disorders: Thyroid disorders can affect blood pressure levels. This is because the thyroid gland produces and stores hormones that play a role in regulating heart rate and blood pressure. Besides, the adrenal glands have the function of regulating the secretion of certain hormones when the body reacts to stress; 
• Taking certain medications such as beta blockers, antidepressants, calcium antagonists, and diuretics can lower blood pressure; 
• Inadequate diet: A lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the diet can lead to anemia, which in the long run causes low blood pressure.

People with thyroid disorders may have low blood pressure

Symptoms of low blood pressure

Common symptoms of low blood pressure occur because the brain is not getting enough blood flow. Among them, dizziness, fainting, changes in heart rate, cold, pale skin are common symptoms of low blood pressure. In addition, some other symptoms you may experience with low blood pressure may include:

• Nausea or vomiting;
• Dizziness,  blurred vision , blurred or distorted vision;
• Rapid, shallow breathing;
• Feeling tired or weak;
• Confusion (common in the elderly) or difficulty concentrating;
• Being agitated or having unusual behavior changes;
• Chest pain;
• Headache, stiff neck.

Dizziness and lightheadedness are common symptoms of low blood pressure

When you have any of the above symptoms, you should stop activities to rest and seek support for those around you if to avoid serious injuries.

How to prevent low blood pressure?

Reasonable lifestyle 

Building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle makes an important contribution to a healthy body, and also to preventing low blood pressure. Specifically:

• Sleep at the right time, right sleep, sleep every day is recommended by experts from 7 to 8 hours to be able to maintain good health;
• When you wake up, you should spend 2 to 3 minutes lying in bed, then when you get up, you should move slowly, avoid sitting up when you just woke up. At the same time, when going to sleep, you should lie in the most comfortable position, with low pillows and higher legs to make blood circulation better;
• In all activities too, regardless of when getting up from a sitting or lying position, you need to do it slowly, without sitting or lying up suddenly;
• Avoid sitting or standing still for a long time, pay attention to short breaks to change posture, relax the body;
• Please keep a relaxed mind, limit excessive stress in the long run;
• You should maintain exercise with gentle exercises such as walking, playing badminton, cycling, ... on a regular basis;
• Monitor and measure your blood pressure periodically for optimal blood pressure control.

When waking up, avoid changing positions too suddenly

Falls and injury are the greatest possible risks of hypotension due to dizziness or fainting. Falls can lead to  broken bones , other serious or even life-threatening injuries. Therefore, for the elderly, especially those prone to hypotension, installing handrails in many places in the home to support living and prevent falls should be one of the priorities.

Diet helps prevent low blood pressure

For people who often suffer from low blood pressure, a nutritious diet for each meal is essential. Please provide enough protein content in meat, fish and chicken products; at the same time adding fiber, vitamins and minerals in vegetables and fruits to help strengthen the body's resistance. 

You should not eat too much in one meal, divide the portion in a day into many small meals, this will help the absorption of nutrients and digestion faster and more efficiently. At the same time, you should rest and avoid excessive exercise after eating. Don't forget to drink enough water every day.

Limit beverages such as wine and beer. In addition, you can also use caffeinated beverages, tea to help raise blood pressure, but do not overdo it.

The above article has provided information about low blood pressure symptoms . Similar to hypertension, low blood pressure also needs to be monitored regularly, because the complications caused by the disease are very dangerous, absolutely do not be subjective with the signs, especially when you (or your loved one) ) belongs to a group of people at high risk of disease.