Hypotension - Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is a term for blood pressure that is abnormally or dangerously low.

What is going on in the body?

Blood pressure is given as two numbers (140/90, for example) that describe the amount of pressure inside the arteries of the body. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Blood pressure is fairly easy to measure. The pressure is related to blood flow inside the arteries, much like the pressure inside a hose is related to water flowing through it. Many conditions can cause low blood pressure.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

There are many possible causes of this condition, including:

Other causes are also possible. In some cases, no cause can be found. Some people always have a blood pressure that is low compared to other people, but normal for them. They may not have any symptoms from their low blood pressure because it is normal for them.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Low blood pressure may or may not cause symptoms. Many symptoms get worse when the person stands. Common symptoms include:

How is the condition diagnosed?

Blood pressure is usually measured with a tool called a blood pressure cuff. Other special devices are sometimes used. Diagnosis of the cause starts with a history and physical exam. This may be all that is needed to determine the cause in some cases.

In other cases, further tests are needed. For example, a complete blood count, or CBC, can help diagnose infections. Low oxygen in the blood can be detected by arterial blood gases. A heart tracing, or ECG, can help diagnose abnormal heartbeats. A chest x-ray can help diagnose pneumonia.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention is related to the cause. Avoiding dehydration can prevent cases due to this cause. Avoiding medications known to cause low blood pressure can prevent cases due to this cause. A person who takes medication to treat high blood pressure is instructed to not double up on medication if he or she misses a dose. This can lead to low blood pressure.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Severely low blood pressure may result in temporary or permanent damage to different organs, known as shock. The damage occurs when the blood pressure drops below the pressure needed to maintain blood circulation. Death may occur in serious cases.

Other long-term effects are related to the cause. For example, diabetes can cause damage to many areas of the body, including the heart, eyes, and kidneys. Low blood pressure due to medications often goes away as soon as the medications are stopped, and may have no long-term effects.

What are the risks to others?

Low blood pressure is not contagious and poses no risks to others.

What are the treatments for the condition?

In most cases, treating the cause will correct the low blood pressure. Stopping or reducing the dose of a medication may end medication-related low blood pressure. Treating infections with antibiotics or surgery may stop low blood pressure from this cause. Giving fluids will stop low blood pressure due to dehydration. Blood transfusions may be needed to treat cases due to extensive blood loss.

Extremely low blood pressure is often treated directly to try to raise the blood pressure. This is done to prevent organ damage from lack of proper blood flow. Fluids and medications are given through an intravenous line, a tube connected to a vein in the arm or other area.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Side effects are related to the treatments used. For example, antibiotics may cause allergic reactions or stomach upset. Medications used to raise blood pressure may cause irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to the anesthesia. Blood transfusions carry a risk of allergic reaction and infection.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

In cases of extensive blood loss or severe infection, death may occur if treatment is delayed or ineffective. Permanent organ damage may occur with severely low blood pressure. This may cause a person to be disabled. In other cases, such as those due to medications, stopping the medication cures the low blood pressure and no further treatment is needed.

How is the condition monitored?

Blood pressure can be rechecked as often as needed. Symptoms can also be monitored. Blood and other tests may be used to monitor for organ damage from very low blood pressure. Other monitoring depends on the cause. For example, a person with diabetes is advised to monitor blood sugar levels regularly.

Author:Adam Brochert, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Duff, Ellen, BA
Edit Date:07/24/00
Reviewer:Melissa Sanders, PharmD
Date Reviewed:06/07/01

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