Is low blood pressure dangerous?

Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Severe hypotension is very dangerous. Hypotension is a diagnostic indicator of shock. Excessively low blood pressure leads to insufficient perfusion of the microcirculation, especially in vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, which can cause ischemia and hypoxia, leading to the failure of these organs and endangering life safety. Therefore, the occurrence of hypotension, especially severe hypotension, requires active resuscitation. Initially, it is necessary to administer fluids to supplement blood volume and make corrections, while also using some vasopressor medications to treat the disease causing the hypotension, achieving a blood pressure-raising effect to save lives.

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Manifestations of low blood pressure

Low blood pressure refers to a phenomenon where the systolic blood pressure is below 90mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure is below 60mmHg. After developing low blood pressure, symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, and cold sweats often occur. If you have low blood pressure, it is essential to visit a hospital for proper examinations, such as a blood test to check for anemia. Conducting an echocardiography or an electrocardiogram can help determine if any heart diseases are causing the low blood pressure.

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How to remedy low blood pressure?

Long-term low blood pressure can cause significant harm to the body, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in vital organs. Therefore, for patients with chronic low blood pressure, in addition to effective drug treatment, nutritional supplementation is also necessary. Consuming high-quality protein foods, especially animal meats, which are rich in protein, not only provides high-quality protein for the body but also enhances the immune system and improves heart contractile function, helping to replenish water energy. Additionally, the adjustment with some traditional Chinese medicines can also be beneficial, consuming more herbs that nourish the heart muscle and boost qi and blood, achieving different effects.

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Clinical symptoms of low blood pressure

The clinical symptoms of hypotension mainly depend on its type. For example, in patients with orthostatic hypotension, symptoms such as dizziness, syncope, or even falling may occur when moving from a lying to a standing position. For hypotension caused by shock, it can be divided into hypovolemic shock and shock caused by reduced cardiac output, which may lead to symptoms like reduced urine output, cold and clammy skin, rapid heart rate, and short pulse. The clinical symptoms caused by cardiac tamponade are also generally related to reduced cardiac output. If the hypotension is caused by gastrointestinal bleeding, symptoms like vomiting blood and black stools may occur. Thus, the symptoms of hypotension can vary greatly depending on the cause.

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Cardiology
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Does low blood pressure cause dizziness?

The main clinical symptoms of low blood pressure include dizziness, which is caused by ischemia and hypoxia in the brain due to low blood pressure. The primary causes of low blood pressure are insufficient cardiac contractile force, changes in vascular elasticity, and inadequate blood volume, leading to insufficient perfusion in the body and vital organs, causing ischemia and hypoxia. Dizziness is a major symptom of cerebral ischemia. Not only can severe dizziness cause headaches, but it can also lead to unconsciousness. Severe low blood pressure can cause confusion, apathy, and other symptoms, requiring active treatment to raise blood pressure.

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What blood pressure is considered low blood pressure?

Systolic blood pressure lower than 90 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure lower than 60 mmHg are considered hypotension. Hypotension is divided into physiological hypotension and pathological hypotension. Physiological hypotension generally has no symptoms and does not require special treatment. Patients with pathological hypotension often experience symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, etc., and need to be treated according to the cause. Hypotension patients often have postural hypotension and postprandial hypotension. The normal blood pressure range for adult males and females of any age is systolic pressure between 90 to 139 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure between 60 to 89 mmHg.