Low blood pressure is usually not caused by health problems, but is a common feature in some people and usually poses no health risk. However, when it arises suddenly or is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fainting or tiredness may indicate a more serious problem such as dehydration, infection or heart problems.
Generally, blood pressure is considered low when it is less than 90x60 mmHg, and there is no minimum pressure limit, provided that the person has always had low blood pressure.
1. Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body is losing more water than the one it was ingested and so the blood vessels will have less blood in it, which will lower blood pressure and cause symptoms such as weakness, fainting and tiredness. Dehydration is more common in the elderly or children, especially during the summer, or in people using diuretics without a medical indication.
- What to do : Rehydration should be done with homemade serum to ingest the water that is lacking in the body along with minerals; however, if the dehydration is severe, you should go to the hospital, as it may be necessary to have serum directly in the vein. See what to do in case of dehydration.
2. Deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid
Vitamin B12 and folic acid are two very important vitamins for the formation of red blood cells and so when they are lacking in the body they can lead to anemia. Since there are fewer cells in the blood, it is normal for blood pressure to drop.
Some signs that can indicate anemia include weakness, pallor, tingling in the feet or hands, stiffness of the arms and legs or loss of touch sensitivity, for example.
- What to do : When anemia is suspected, it is very important to consult a general practitioner to identify the correct cause of anemia and to start the correct treatment. In the case of deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid, one must make supplementation with these vitamins and increase the intake of foods like salmon or liver steak. Watch this video how to feed:
3. Use of some remedies
There are several types of remedies that, when used for a long time, can cause a marked decrease in blood pressure. Some of the more common examples include high blood pressure medications, diuretics, heart trouble medications, antidepressants, and erectile dysfunction remedies.
- What to do : If you are taking one of these medications it is advised to consult the prescribing doctor to evaluate the possibility of changing the medicine or changing the dose.
4. Hormonal changes
When there is a change in the production of hormones by the thyroid or the adrenal gland, for example, there may be dilatation of the blood vessels, which ends up causing a sharp drop in blood pressure. In addition, changes in pregnancy can also cause this type of effect and therefore it is common for women to experience lower pressure during pregnancy than they had before.
- What to do : In pregnancy you should maintain an adequate intake of water to help in the production of fluids and try to regulate blood pressure. In other cases, it is important to consult an endocrinologist to identify the hormonal problem and initiate the most appropriate treatment. Check out what to eat to regulate the thyroid.
5. Internal bleeding
In internal bleeding the bleeding happens to the interior of the body and, therefore, it can be more difficult to identify. When this happens, it is possible to lose a lot of blood, which ends up leaving the blood vessels with less blood, which ends up reducing blood pressure greatly.
Low blood pressure can also occur when there is severe external bleeding. Some signs that you may have an internal bleeding include weakness, dizziness, trouble breathing, or a constant headache. See when an internal bleeding can occur and how to identify.
- What to do : If internal bleeding is suspected, you should go to the hospital immediately to identify the bleeding site and start the most appropriate treatment.
6. Heart problems
Changes in the functioning of the heart can also cause a decrease in blood pressure by causing a reduction in the amount of blood circulating in the body. The most common problems include heart failure, heart valve abnormalities, and arrhythmias.
In these situations, in addition to the drop in blood pressure, other signs such as chest discomfort, excessive tiredness, feeling of shortness of breath and cold sweat, for example, may also appear. Check out 12 symptoms that may indicate heart problems.
- What to do : If there is a history of heart problems in the family or if you suspect changes in the heart you should consult a cardiologist to identify the correct diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.
7. Severe infection
Although it is more rare, low blood pressure can also arise due to a serious infection in the body, known as sepsis or septic shock. This is because the bacteria spread through the body and release toxins that affect the blood vessels, leading to marked decrease in blood pressure. See which symptoms may indicate sepsis.
- What to do : If you have an infection somewhere in the body and you have a sudden drop in blood pressure with symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and feeling faint, it is important to go to the hospital quickly to start giving antibiotics directly into the vein.
When to go to the doctor
It is advisable to consult the general practitioner when the blood pressure drops more than 40 mmHg or is accompanied by:
- Dizziness and nausea;
- Fainting;
- Excessive thirst;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Blurry vision;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Cold, pale skin.
When symptoms of low blood pressure appear, it is recommended to lie down and lift your legs, allowing the blood to reach the brain. If symptoms persist for more than 10 minutes, call for medical help, calling 192, or taking her to an emergency room.
