What causes vertigo and general dizziness. How does inner ear affect balance. Can vitamin deficiency lead to dizziness. Is dizziness linked to heart problems. Are migraines associated with vertigo. Can anxiety cause dizziness. How do visual stimuli impact balance.

The Inner Ear’s Crucial Role in Balance and Dizziness

The intricate mechanisms of the inner ear play a vital role in maintaining our balance and preventing dizziness. One of the most common causes of vertigo is a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This occurs when calcium crystals, known as otoconia, become dislodged in the inner ear canals, resulting in brief spinning sensations.

Dr. Gregory Whitman, an ear and brain specialist, explains that BPPV is “a simple mechanical problem that can and should be corrected with physical therapy, and not with medication or surgery.” While BPPV affects only about 1 in 1,000 people annually, it’s more prevalent in older adults and can be linked to various factors such as trauma, migraines, inner ear infections, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

How Does the Inner Ear Control Blood Flow?

Recent research has revealed that the inner ear’s balance system plays a crucial role in controlling blood flow. Two structures in the inner ear, the utricle and saccule, detect gravity and communicate with the cardiovascular system to adjust blood flow when we change positions, such as moving from lying down to standing up. When this process is disrupted, it can lead to dizziness.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Their Impact on Balance

Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining balance and preventing dizziness. One surprising factor that can contribute to balance issues is a deficiency in vitamin B12. Low levels of this essential vitamin can lead to various neurological problems, including feeling off-balance, low blood pressure, and decreased blood flow to the brain.

The Importance of Vitamin B12

Dr. Whitman emphasizes that “Vitamin B12 deficiency is easy to detect and treat, but is an often overlooked cause of dizziness.” If you’re experiencing frequent dizzy spells, it may be worth asking your doctor about a simple blood test to check your B12 levels. Good dietary sources of vitamin B12 include meat, dairy products, and fortified breakfast cereals.

Cardiovascular Connections to Dizziness and Vertigo

While sudden movements can cause temporary dizziness, persistent or recurring dizzy spells may be indicative of underlying heart conditions. Several cardiovascular-related issues can lead to dizziness by reducing blood flow to the brain.

Heart Conditions Associated with Dizziness

• Leaking or narrow heart valves
• Arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation
• Atherosclerosis

These conditions can compromise blood flow to the brain, resulting in feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness. If you’re experiencing persistent dizziness, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying cardiovascular issues.

The Surprising Link Between Migraines and Vertigo

Many people are unaware of the strong connection between migraines and vertigo. Dr. Debara L. Tucci, an otologist, neurologist, and ear surgeon, notes that “dizziness is commonly linked to migraine disease, either with or without headaches.” In fact, approximately 40% of individuals who suffer from migraines also experience dizziness or vertigo.

Symptoms of Migraine-Related Vertigo

1. Sensitivity to motion
2. Sensitivity to light
3. Sensitivity to sound
4. Feelings of dizziness or spinning

If you’re experiencing these symptoms along with your migraines, it’s important to discuss them with your healthcare provider to explore appropriate treatment options.

The Complex Relationship Between Anxiety and Dizziness

Anxiety and dizziness often go hand in hand, particularly in younger individuals. Dr. Whitman explains that many people, especially those in their twenties, who experience dizziness may also have anxiety. This connection is rooted in brain function and may have a genetic component.

Visual Dependence and Anxiety-Related Dizziness

Research has shown that individuals with anxiety disorders tend to sway more when exposed to moving visual environments compared to those without anxiety. This phenomenon, known as visual dependence, can make anxious individuals more sensitive to visual stimulation, leading to increased dizziness when watching moving objects or navigating through visually complex environments.

Dr. Whitman emphasizes the need for further research in this area, stating, “We need to develop better tests of visual dependence, and we need laboratory tests for what we now call anxiety disorders. It’s likely that in the future, these disorders will be reclassified, in part, based on genetics.”

Environmental Factors and Temporary Dizziness

Certain environmental factors and experiences can trigger temporary feelings of dizziness or vertigo. These episodes, while often harmless, can be disorienting and uncomfortable.

Common Environmental Triggers for Dizziness

• Boat rides
• Waterbeds
• Prolonged exposure to moving visual stimuli

Dr. Carol Foster, director of the Balance Laboratory at the University of Colorado Hospital, explains that it’s common to experience a “rocky, dizzy feeling” after activities like boat rides. This sensation, often referred to as “sea legs,” is typically temporary and resolves on its own as the brain readjusts to stable surroundings.

Advanced Diagnostic Techniques for Balance Disorders

As our understanding of balance disorders continues to evolve, so do the diagnostic techniques used to identify and treat these conditions. Modern medical facilities are equipped with sophisticated tools and tests to assess balance and diagnose the underlying causes of dizziness and vertigo.

Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Tools

1. Videonystagmography (VNG)
2. Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP)
3. Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) testing
4. Rotary chair testing
5. Advanced imaging techniques (MRI, CT scans)

These advanced diagnostic tools allow healthcare professionals to assess various aspects of the vestibular system, identify specific balance disorders, and develop targeted treatment plans. By combining these diagnostic techniques with a thorough patient history and physical examination, doctors can provide more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments for individuals suffering from dizziness and vertigo.

Emerging Treatments for Chronic Dizziness and Vertigo

As research in the field of balance disorders progresses, new and innovative treatments are emerging to help individuals manage chronic dizziness and vertigo. These treatments aim to address the underlying causes of balance issues and improve patients’ quality of life.

Promising Treatment Approaches

• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety-related dizziness
• Targeted medication therapies
• Neurofeedback and biofeedback techniques
• Virtual reality-based balance training

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, in particular, has shown significant promise in helping patients with various balance disorders. This specialized form of physical therapy focuses on exercises that help the brain compensate for inner ear deficits and improve overall balance and stability.

For individuals with anxiety-related dizziness, cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with relaxation techniques and mindfulness practices can be highly effective in reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being.

The Impact of Lifestyle Factors on Balance and Dizziness

While medical treatments play a crucial role in managing dizziness and vertigo, lifestyle factors can also significantly impact an individual’s balance and overall vestibular health. By making certain lifestyle modifications, many people can reduce the frequency and severity of dizzy spells.

Key Lifestyle Factors Affecting Balance

1. Diet and hydration
2. Sleep quality and quantity
3. Stress management
4. Regular exercise and physical activity
5. Limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption

Maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, staying well-hydrated, and ensuring adequate sleep can all contribute to better vestibular function. Regular exercise, particularly activities that challenge balance and coordination, can help strengthen the vestibular system and improve overall stability.

Additionally, stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety-related dizziness and promote better overall balance.

The Future of Balance Disorder Research and Treatment

As our understanding of the complex interplay between the vestibular system, brain function, and overall health continues to grow, the future of balance disorder research and treatment looks promising. Scientists and medical professionals are working tirelessly to develop new approaches to diagnosing, treating, and preventing dizziness and vertigo.

Emerging Areas of Research

• Genetic factors influencing balance disorders
• Advanced brain imaging techniques for vestibular assessment
• Personalized medicine approaches for balance issues
• Integration of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment planning
• Novel drug therapies targeting specific vestibular dysfunctions

These cutting-edge research areas hold the potential to revolutionize our approach to managing balance disorders. As we gain deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms of dizziness and vertigo, we can develop more targeted and effective treatments, ultimately improving the lives of millions of people affected by these conditions.

The field of balance disorder research is rapidly evolving, and with continued scientific advancements, we can look forward to a future where dizziness and vertigo are more easily diagnosed, managed, and potentially even prevented. As we uncover more surprising facts about these conditions, we move closer to providing comprehensive care and support for individuals struggling with balance issues.

10 Surprising Facts About Dizziness and Vertigo

Here’s what causes vertigo and general dizziness — plus what to do if you experience one of these episodes.

1. Dizzy Spells May Be Caused by an Inner Ear Problem

“One of the most surprising causes of dizziness is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV,” says Gregory Whitman, MD, an ear and brain specialist with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Balance and Vestibular Center at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital in Massachusetts. Your inner ear contains calcium and protein-based sensing crystals called otoconia, says Dr. Whitman. If these crystals are dislodged and float into your inner ear’s canals, you may have a brief spinning sensation. “It’s a simple mechanical problem that can and should be corrected with physical therapy, and not with medication or surgery,” says Whitman.

Though BPPV is the most common inner ear–related balance disorder, it affects only about 1 out of 1,000 people per year, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA). And while it can affect adults of any age, this type of vertigo primarily affects older adults. Most cases occur for no apparent reason, but BPPV has been linked to trauma, migraines, inner ear infections, diabetes, and osteoporosis. After treatment, 50 percent of patients may experience the problem again within five years — especially if it was the result of trauma, say experts at VEDA.

2. Your Ear’s Balance System Controls Blood Flow

“We’ve learned that our inner-ear balance system contributes to the control of our blood flow,” says Whitman, “and that the inner ear has the ability to know which way is up.” When you move from lying down to standing up, two inner ear structures, the utricle and saccule, detect gravity. They tell your cardiovascular system to direct blood flow to accommodate your change in position, says Whitman. When that process goes awry, it may cause dizziness.

3. Low Vitamin B12 Levels Can Cause Dizziness

Deficiencies in this essential vitamin may lead to a number of neurological problems, including feeling off-balance, and having low blood pressure and decreased blood flow to your brain, says Whitman. “Vitamin B12 deficiency is easy to detect and treat, but is an often overlooked cause of dizziness,” he notes.

Ask your doctor about having a simple blood test to check your B12 levels if you’re having dizzy spells. Good sources of vitamin B12 include meat, dairy products, and fortified breakfast cereals.

4. Dizziness May Be a Symptom of Heart Disease

One simple cause of dizziness is sudden movement, like when you get up too suddenly from your seat or bed. But sometimes dizziness is a sign of a heart condition. Among the cardiovascular-related causes of dizziness are leaking or narrow heart valves, arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, and atherosclerosis, says Patricia Blau, PhD, associate professor of physical therapy at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. These can cause dizziness because they reduce blood flow to the brain, according to VEDA.

5. Migraines Sometimes Cause Vertigo

“It surprises some people to know that dizziness is commonly linked to migraine disease, either with or without headaches,” says Debara L. Tucci, MD, an otologist, neurologist, and ear surgeon at Duke Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Other symptoms of migraine-related vertigo include sensitivity to motion, light, and sound, adds Dr. Tucci. About 40 percent of people who have migraines experience dizziness or vertigo, according to VEDA.

6. Feeling Dizzy May Be Related to Anxiety

Many people who experience dizziness, especially people in their twenties, may also have anxiety, says Whitman. “They usually don’t want to hear that dizziness can be linked to anxiety because it suggests that it’s all in their heads,” he notes. “But what’s in your head is your brain. And anxiety can reflect a brain function disturbance that’s possibly genetic.”

Compared with people who don’t have anxiety, people with anxiety disorders appear to sway more when subjected to a moving visual environment, Whitman says. And they sway in a way that seems to be synchronized with the visual movement. “These people may be abnormally sensitive to visual stimulation, because their dizziness can increase when they’re watching moving objects or walking through a large, bright store,” says Whitman.

This is called visual dependence, and little is known about how common it is. “We need to develop better tests of visual dependence, and we need laboratory tests for what we now call anxiety disorders,” ways Whitman. “It’s likely that in the future, these disorders will be reclassified, in part, based on genetics.”

7. A Boat Ride or Waterbed Can Cause Dizziness

It’s pretty common to experience a rocky, dizzy feeling on your first day back after a cruise, says Carol Foster, MD, director of the balance laboratory at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. “For a few people, this feeling, called mal de debarquement, can last for months or even years,” says Dr. Foster. Some 75 percent of all sailors can experience such dizzy spells. Airplanes, cars, and trains can also cause a wobbly-legs feeling. Even relaxing on a waterbed can cause dizziness.

8. Dizziness and Vertigo May Be Side Effects From Medication

So many drugs can cause dizzy spells that there are too many to even list, says Whitman. “That said, high doses of blood pressure medication can cause dizziness, especially in older adults and in people who have started a dose that’s too high for them,” says Whitman. “In my dizziness clinic, I tend to start people on ultra-low doses of medication. Sometimes, less is more.”

Check to see if any drugs you’re taking may include dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance as possible side effects by speaking with your pharmacist or physician. “A careful review of medication lists, and looking for opportunities to decrease dosages, can sometimes yield surprising benefits,” Whitman adds. “Don’t think that you shouldn’t take a medication just because dizziness could be a potential side effect. Most people don’t experience the side effects a drug may cause. ”

9. Your Diet or Dehydration Could Make You Dizzy

Even mild dehydration may be why you’re feeling dizzy or light-headed, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Dehydration can also cause blood pressure to drop, which can lead to dizzy spells, notes the AHA. Dieting can also result in feelings of dizziness, because some diets cause dehydration, says Dr. Blau. According to the AHA, mild dehydration that follows the loss of just 1 to 2 percent of your body weight can cause dizziness.

10. There Are Several Less Common Causes of Dizziness and Vertigo

Pay attention to all bouts of dizziness, because along with other symptoms, they could point to something more serious. See your doctor to rule out health problems related to frequent or severe bouts of dizziness or vertigo.

“Even though less than 1 percent of my patients have a life-threatening or previously unsuspected cause of dizziness — such as stroke warning symptoms or a brain tumor — I still take all cases of dizziness seriously,” says Whitman. If you have a brain tumor, it’s usually not the only symptom you have, he says.

One very rare condition linked to vertigo is Ménière’s disease. “If you have prolonged episodes of whirling vertigo along with hearing problems in one ear, it could be Ménière’s,” says Whitman. He estimates that this affects only about 0.2 percent of the population, and is sometimes found in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. Though it can’t be cured, it can be treated.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) – NHS

Low blood pressure is a reading of less than 90/60mmHg. It does not always cause symptoms, but you may need treatment if it does.

Get your blood pressure checked if you keep getting symptoms like:

• lightheadedness or dizziness
• feeling sick
• blurred vision
• generally feeling weak
• confusion
• fainting

This might mean your blood pressure is too low.

If you get symptoms when you stand up or suddenly change position, you may have postural hypotension.

How to check your blood pressure

You can check your blood pressure:

• by asking if a pharmacist can do it
• by asking a practice nurse or GP to do it
• at home yourself using a home blood pressure monitor – Blood Pressure UK has information about choosing a blood pressure monitor

Low blood pressure is a measurement of less than 90/60mmHg.

Regular blood pressure check

If you’re 40 to 74 years old, you should have your blood pressure checked at least once every 5 years as part of the NHS Health Check.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• you keep getting symptoms such as dizziness and fainting

Information:

Coronavirus update: how to contact a GP

It’s still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:

• visit their website
• use the NHS App
• call them

Find out about using the NHS during coronavirus

Treatment for low blood pressure depends on the cause

If a cause can be found, a GP will be able to recommend treatment to ease your symptoms.

For example, they may suggest:

• changing medicines or altering your dose, if this is the cause
• wearing support stockings – this can improve circulation and increase blood pressure

Medicine to increase blood pressure is rarely needed because simple lifestyle measures or treating the underlying cause is usually effective.

How to ease low blood pressure symptoms yourself

Do

• get up slowly from sitting to standing

• take care when getting out of bed – move slowly from lying to sitting to standing

• raise the head of your bed by about 15cm (6 inches) with bricks or heavy books

• eat small, frequent meals – lying down or sitting still for a while after eating may also help

• increase the amount of water you drink

Don’t

• do not sit or stand for long periods

• do not bend down or change posture suddenly

• do not drink caffeinated drinks at night

• do not drink too much alcohol

Causes of low blood pressure

Your blood pressure can vary depending on the time of day. It gradually increases throughout the day.

What you’re doing and how you’re feeling can also affect it.

There are many possible causes of low blood pressure. It may be low because you’re fit and healthy, or you may have inherited it from your parents.

Some people develop low blood pressure as they get older.

It can also be caused by:

• being pregnant
• some medical conditions, such as diabetes
• some medicines

Page last reviewed: 09 September 2020
Next review due: 09 September 2023

The MSDS HyperGlossary: Hypertension

The MSDS HyperGlossary: Hypertension

Definition

• Hypertension is higher than normal blood pressure. Readings higher than 140/90 or 130/80 mm Hg are considered high. Chronic high blood pressure is likely to induce cardiovascular (heart and circulatory system) damage and or other adverse consequences such as stroke.

Systolic blood pressure is the force exerted when your heart beats and diastolic blood pressure is the force when your heart is resting between beats. Blood pressure is expressed as systolic “over” diastolic and is written with a slash; for example 132/70 means the systolic reading is 132 and diastolic reading is 70 mm Hg.

• Prehypertension is typically defined as blood pressure between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg and is the intermediate case between normal and high blood pressure.
• Normal blood pressure for adults is generally in the range of 90/50 to 120/90 mm Hg .
• Hypotension is an abnormally low blood pressure, usually below 90/50 mm Hg. In severe or prolonged cases, it can be a serious medical condition.

Additional Info

Your heart is a pump that contracts and relaxes to force blood through your arteries to all parts of your body. Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries. Too high of a pressure can cause long-term damage and too low of a pressure will not provide sufficient blood flow. Just as you have a pressure gauge on your car to make sure it is operating in the proper range, so should you keep track of your blood pressure to ensure your body is, too.

Elevated blood pressure is disturbingly common. Between 1 in 3 and 1 in 4 people have hypertension. Incidence of hypertension is significantly higher in African-Americans than in other racial groups. The chances of developing hypertension are increased for individuals who:

• are overweight
• have a family history of hypertension
• are men over 45 and women over 55
• have prehypertension
• consume too much salt
• consume too much alcohol
• do not exercise
• do not consume enough potassium
• take certain medications
• have chronic high levels of stress

Hypertension can also be caused by a variety of other medical conditions. These cases are referred to as secondary hypertension. In other cases, there is no known cause (idiopathic) and the condition is sometimes called essential hypertension.

Adverse consequences of chronic hypertension may include.

• Retinal vascular damage. Blood vessels in the eye may burst and bleed, sometimes resulting in blindness.
• Cerebrovascular disease and stroke due to “hardening” or damage to the blood vessels in your brain.
• Left ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged heart), possibly leading to heart failure.
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack).
• Aneurysm (a weakened area in a blood vessel). Rupture of an aneurysm can lead to a stroke or death.
• Renovascular disease. Blood vessels in the kidney may narrow or block completely, ultimately leading to kidney failure.

Uncomplicated hypertension generally has no symptoms, so it is usually diagnosed through regular medical check-ups. Elevated blood pressure over several successive visits yields a diagnosis of hypertension or prehypertension. Prehypertension should be taken seriously as it can often progress to hypertension if the risk factors are not controlled.

To prevent or reduce (pre)hypertension, doctors generally recommend an improved diet, regular exercise, and, if applicable, losing weight or quitting smoking. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, fat-free dairy foods, and low in fat and sodium tend to lower blood pressure. Limiting consumption of alcohol can also help lower blood pressure, however moderate alcohol use has certain cardiovascular (heart and circulatory system) benefits.

When these lifestyle changes are not sufficient to control hypertension, prescription medication is usually required. There are many different classes of antihypertensive medications, each working by a different mechanism. For example, diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide are a cheap and effective drug for many people. While diuretics can help lower blood pressure by removing salt and extra fluid from the body, the actual mechanism of how they reduce blood pressure is not fully understood.

Other antihypertensives work by slowing the heartbeat down or relaxing and widening the blood vessels. Medications that work in this way include: beta blockers, alpha blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBS, calcium channel blockers, alpha-beta blockers, nervous system inhibitors, and vasodilators. In some cases, combinations of two or more antihypertensives may be required to bring your blood pressure under control.

Books Available

NOTE: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links in the following list:

• “High Blood Pressure for Dummies”, paperback, 360 pages, 2007. Estimated price $15.48 Info and/or order.
• “Clinical Management of Hypertension, 9th Edition”, paperback, 336 pages, 2013. Estimated price $29.95. Info and/or order.
• “Kaplan’s Clinical Hypertension Eleventh Edition”, hardcover, 461 pages, 2014. Estimated price $74.07. Info and/or order.
• “Pulmonary Hypertension: Basic Science to Clinical Medicine”, hardcover, 371 pages, 2015. Estimated price $124.72. Info and/or order.
• “Secondary Hypertension: Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment”, hardcover, 778 pages, 2020. Estimated price $151.26. Info and/or order.
• “Interventional Therapies for Secondary and Essential Hypertension (Updates in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection)”, hardcover, 363 pages, 2016. Estimated price $128.93. Info and/or order.
• “Current Essentials of Diagnosis & Treatment in Nephrology & Hypertension”, paperback, 304 pages, 2012. Estimated price $43.00. Info and/or order.
• “Thirty Days to Natural Blood Pressure Control: The “No Pressure” Solution”, paperback, 440 pages, 2016. Estimated price $14.99. Info and/or order.

SDS Relevance

Exposure to some chemicals, such as nephrotoxins, can cause or aggravate hypertension. Exposure to other chemicals may cause a victim to go into shock, a symptom of which is very low blood pressure.

Consult Section 11 (Toxicological information) of your Safety Data Sheets to identify the health effects of the materials you work with as well as Section 8 (Exposure controls/personal protection). Use engineering controls and/or personal protective equipment to reduce your exposure.

Further Reading

See also: diuretic, nephrotoxin, syncope.

Additional definitions from Google and Onelook.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader’s own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.

Low blood pressure: Simon Cowell’s health scare

Simon Cowell’s recent health scare is putting the spotlight on the flip side of high blood pressure.

While you may know hypertension is bad for your health — straining your heart and raising your risk of heart attack and stroke — low blood pressure, or hypotension, can come with its own dangerous consequences.

Cowell, the 58-year-old “America’s Got Talent” judge, suffered a concussion last week after he passed out and fell down a flight of stairs at his London home.

We apologize, this video has expired.

“[Doctors] think I fainted because I had low blood pressure and so I have got to really take good care of myself to sort that out,” he told The Sun, a British newspaper.

“Sometimes we get a reminder that we’re not invincible and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock.”

What’s the risk?

When you get your blood pressure checked, doctors like to see a lower reading, within certain limits — generally between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. But you could fall below the lower limit and still be healthy and feel fine.

With low blood pressure, the numbers are mostly irrelevant unless you have symptoms, said Dr. Sharonne Hayes, director of the Women’s Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

“Your heart loves a low blood pressure; your brain sometimes not so much,” Hayes told TODAY. “The challenge is that you need a certain amount of pressure to get the blood up to your brain.”

“The condition itself isn’t going to kill you, but if you’re on a subway platform and you get lightheaded and fall, you can hit your head or you can get hit by a train,” added Dr. Jennifer Haythe, co-director of the Women’s Center for Cardiovascular Health at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.

Neither doctor is treating Cowell, but commented about the condition in general.

What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?

If your brain is not getting enough blood, you’ll feel woozy and lightheaded. You may sweat, have clammy skin or feel nauseous. You can get tunnel vision like you’re about to pass out or you may feel like everything is going black in front of your eyes.

Why do people experience low blood pressure?

There are several possible reasons.

Low blood pressure can be a temporary event for anyone. Often, people who stand for a long time — on a subway or in a church choir, for example — may experience hypotension and syncope, the clinical term for fainting.

Blood pressure can also drop for a few seconds when you stand up. If you work out hard and get dehydrated, your normal blood pressure can dip low enough to cause you to pass out, Hayes said.

Some people just naturally have low blood pressure. For others, it may be due to the medicines they’re taking.

More serious causes of low blood pressure include heart failure, severe infection and conditions where your autonomic nervous system is not working properly.

Who is a typical patient?

Low blood pressure is more common in young, thin, tall women, Haythe said. Hypotension is also common during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.

How is it managed?

If it’s a temporary event, the best way to treat low blood pressure is to lie down, Hayes said.

If you have chronically low blood pressure and feel lousy with it, her first advice is to exercise regularly because that gets the muscles around the blood vessels to be more responsive. You should also take basic precautions, like standing up slowly when you get out of bed to avoid a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Patients also have to make sure they’re hydrated and even over-hydrated. Consuming lots of salt is actually good for low blood pressure because sodium in the diet helps your body hold on to the fluid that you take in. Hayes simply advises patients to drink tomato juice every morning.

Low blood pressure can also be managed with medications.

Bottom line:

High blood pressure is a much more significant long-term risk to your health, both doctors said. With low blood pressure, they’re only concerned if people have symptoms.

“Low blood pressure is not usually a heart risk; it’s more of an injury risk,” Hayes said.

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Blood Pressure Numbers: When to Get Help | Frankel Cardiovascular Center

Topic Overview

If you check your blood pressure, you may wonder when an abnormal reading means you should call your doctor. This information can help you understand what your blood pressure numbers mean and when you need to call for help.

What do blood pressure numbers mean?

Your blood pressure consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Someone with a systolic pressure of 117 and a diastolic pressure of 78 has a blood pressure of 117/78, or “117 over 78.”

It’s normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. But if it stays up, you have high blood pressure. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension.

High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other problems. You and your doctor will talk about your risks of these problems based on your blood pressure.

Your doctor will give you a goal for your blood pressure. Your goal will be based on your health and your age.

In general, the lower your blood pressure, the better. For example, a blood pressure reading of less than 90/60 is healthy as long as you feel okay.

What can cause a short-term change in blood pressure?

Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. Some medicines can cause a spike in blood pressure, including certain asthma medicines and cold remedies.

A low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid.

When should you get help for an abnormal blood pressure reading?

One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. If it’s still high or low, use the following guidance.

Call
911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your blood pressure is much higher than normal (such as 180/120 or higher).
• You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:
  • Severe headache.
  • Blurry vision.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• Your blood pressure measures higher than your doctor recommends at least 2 times. That means the top number is higher or the bottom number is higher, or both.
• You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, heart, lungs and kidneys. Keeping your blood pressure within the normal range is important. But what’s normal? That depends on your age and other factors.

Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure is expressed in terms of two numbers. The top number is systolic blood pressure. This is the highest pressure and occurs when your heart actually beats. The second number is the diastolic. This reading shows blood pressure when your heart relaxes. Your blood pressure varies throughout the day. It is lower at night and rises shortly before you wake up. It peaks in the middle of the afternoon and then drops in the evening.

High and Low Blood Pressure

The generally accepted standard for “normal” blood pressure is 90/60 to less than120/80. If your blood pressure is consistently lower than 90/60, you have low blood pressure. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90 is still considered normal. However, most doctors will recommend lifestyle changes if you are in that range. Above 140/90 is considered high blood pressure, or hypertension. Medications may be recommended for blood pressures in this range or above.

Aging, Sex and Blood Pressure

Blood pressure normally increases with age. This may be a protective effect to ensure the body gets adequate nutrients and oxygen. A healthy child of three might have a reading of 80/34. A healthy adult of 60 might have a reading closer to 134 over 87. Women normally have readings about 10 points lower than men.

Factors That Affect Blood Pressure

Many things affect your blood pressure. These tend to cause increased readings:

The three “S” rule – stress, smoking and sleep apnea increase blood pressure.

Genetics and family history – high blood pressure and heart disease often run in families.

Chronic kidney disease- damaged kidneys can’t filter blood properly.

Obesity and lack of exercise increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Salt – about one-quarter of the population is sensitive to salt.

What’s Normal for Me?

To determine what your normal blood pressure is, you must track it over time. A home blood pressure cuff is an inexpensive way to do this. Take readings at different times of day. Three or four readings a day will give you a good picture. Always follow directions and sit quietly for at least 5 minutes before taking a reading. After a month, average your readings. This is your normal blood pressure. Remember, people are different – your athletic brother and young child will have different readings than yours. If your readings are consistently high, visit your health care provider.

The staff at Shingletown Medical Center is proud to provide first-class care for you and your family.

Maintaining A Normal Blood Pressure in Seniors

Controlling blood pressure – the force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries – is an important way to maintain good heart health in seniors. That’s especially important because the risk of high blood pressure and low blood pressure in elderly increases with age.

Avoiding high blood pressure, called hypertension, can help seniors prevent strokes, heart disease, kidney failure, vision problems and other serious health conditions. Preventing low blood pressure, called hypotension, can help seniors avoid dizziness, lightheadedness, falls and shock.

Know Your Numbers

Blood pressure readings contain two numbers, a top number and a bottom number. The top number is the most important for seniors, because it often rises despite the bottom number remaining low, a condition called isolated systolic hypertension.

Prior to 2017, 140/90 or less was the recommended blood pressure for seniors age 65 to 79, with 145/90 or less recommended for people age 80 or older. But updated guidelines released by the American Heart Association and other organizations no longer give different recommendations based on age. According to the guidelines, the new normal blood pressure for seniors (and everyone else) is less than 120/80. Blood pressure is generally considered too low if it dips below 90/60.

What Causes High Blood Pressure in the Elderly

High blood pressure is the most common chronic condition among older adults. Factors that contribute to a senior’s risk include: 

• Aging: As people age, their arteries may become stiffer, making it more difficult for blood to pass through and causing blood pressure to rise.
• Being overweight: Excess weight makes the heart work harder in order to pump blood throughout the body, which can raise blood pressure. 
• Certain diseases: People with diabetes or chronic kidney disease are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
• Genetics: A family history of high blood pressure increases a person’s risk of developing it. A person’s race can also increase their risk. For example, African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure than others.
• Lifestyle habits: Nicotine use, a poor diet and lack of exercise increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure.

How to Lower Blood Pressure in the Elderly

Seniors don’t have to settle for life with hypertension. Making these changes can help lower high blood pressure:

• Quit smoking: People who smoke are more likely to have high blood pressure. It’s never too late to quit.
• Eat healthier: Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as low-fat dairy products and whole grains, can help you lose weight and can lower your blood pressure. Eating less salt and less saturated fat and drinking less alcohol can also help. 
• Exercise more: Seniors with high blood pressure should get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days – if not every day – to help lose weight and lower blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise is most appropriate.
• Take medication: If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to bring down your blood pressure, your doctor will prescribe medication as well. Taking blood pressure medication is very common. There are many different types available, including diuretics, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. Seniors may need to try a few medications (as advised by their doctors), alone or in combination, to find what works best for them.

What Causes Low Blood Pressure in the Elderly

Low blood pressure in the elderly is less common than high blood pressure and is usually only considered a problem if it causes symptoms. If you feel faint, lightheaded or weak, it could be a sign that your blood pressure is too low and that you should call your doctor. Potential reasons for low blood pressure in the elderly include:

• A sudden rise: Standing up quickly is the most common cause of low blood pressure in the elderly. 
• Prolonged bed rest: Inactivity can lead to low blood pressure.
• Meals: Seniors are more likely to experience low blood pressure after eating than younger people are.
• Dehydration: Losing too much water can cause blood pressure to take a nosedive. 
• Certain health problems: Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, allergic reactions and infections increase the risk of low blood pressure.
• Medication: Sometimes medication for lowering high blood pressure can lower it too much, resulting in blood pressure that is too low. Other medications, including some that treat depression, Parkinson’s disease and erectile dysfunction, can also cause sudden drops in blood pressure.

How to Raise Blood Pressure in the Elderly

Hypotension can be treated. Making these changes can help raise low blood pressure in the elderly:

• Rise more carefully: Take time to slowly move from lying down to sitting, and from sitting to standing. 
• Get more exercise: Moving more, and avoid long periods of sitting or standing still.
• Eat more slowly: Eating smaller meals more frequently, and taking time to finish them, can stop blood pressure from dropping too much.
• Add some salt: Just as people with high blood pressure benefit from lowering their salt intake, those with low blood pressure benefit from increasing theirs.
• Drink more water: This is especially important when it’s hot out or during illness.
• Talk to your doctor: If a health problem or medication is causing low blood pressure, your doctor can advise you about how to manage the situation.

Changing habits isn’t easy. But it’s worth it, because achieving and maintaining the recommended blood pressure can help you live a longer, healthier life.

90,000 Low numbers don’t do the trick. Why hypotension is dangerous for the body

How can I help?

It is not so easy to help hypotonic patients, unlike hypertension, the list of drugs is small:

“A number of drugs relieve acute symptoms, and doctors advise herbal ones for constant use. Tinctures of ginseng, eleutherococcus, aralia, radiola rosea, levia, pantocrine increase vascular tone and blood pressure, says the therapist.- The main thing is to use them for at least six months, the recommended dose of 10-15 drops can be changed, focusing on the state of health.

It is advisable to change the drug every month, since each has its own advantages. And drink it after meals, because, as the doctor’s experience shows, 90% of hypotensive patients have problems with the gastrointestinal tract. But the most effective remedy, according to Lena Kubaeva, is contrast shower .

“We have to teach the vessels to actively constrict and dilate, and the contrast shower has helped more than one of my patients,” she says. – In addition, long-term proper sleep and the absence of stress are very important for the health of blood vessels, if this is, of course, possible. Walking and playing sports will help. ”

If an attack of hypotension could not be avoided, then first aid is to lie down and raise your legs. Sweet tea, coffee, chocolate and always peace. It doesn’t get any easier – call an ambulance.

It also happens in healthy people

Each hypotonic person has encountered a situation that sometimes occurs in a healthy person. The doorbell rings, you quickly get up from the sofa on which you were lying, and you feel: the room floated before your eyes.

“A sharp rise – the blood rushed from the brain to the legs, oxygen starvation led to a semi-fainting state,” the doctor explains. – The same happens when a person squats for a long time. The vessels are pinched, the blood supply is impaired. When he gets up, the blood again flows from the head, which leads to dizziness. ”

Therefore, knowing this peculiarity behind yourself, try to avoid such situations. Do not jump briskly out of bed in the morning, but do it slowly, even if you are 18 years old.If you are squatting in a garden bed, get up from time to time and stretch your legs.

There are many hypotensives among athletes who seem to be full of health, who have low blood pressure and a rare pulse is nothing more than a defensive reaction to improperly selected physical activity.

“During training, the muscles require increased blood flow. If the muscle mass grows gradually with a properly selected training regimen, then the vascular tone evens out, otherwise pressure surges cannot be avoided, ”explains Lena Alekseevna.

Therefore, do not neglect the warm-up, considering that it is needed only to warm up the muscles. Blood should flow to them gradually, otherwise, with a disturbed vascular tone, which many may not even suspect, a drop in pressure is ensured.

Photo: shutterstock.com

Pressure below the plinth

Young, healthy people often have rather low blood pressure numbers (for example, 90/60 mm Hg.Art.), which does not violate their performance and well-being at all. Nevertheless, some people do not easily tolerate a decrease in pressure below the usual values: weakness appears, performance decreases.

Physicians traditionally do not take hypotonic complaints seriously, since a decrease in pressure does not cause severe complications and does not affect life expectancy. Some experts believe that hypotension in itself is not a disease – as such, there is no lower limit of normal pressure.Some of them are of the opinion that hypotension is a problem mainly for urban residents. “It’s hard to imagine a village woman who gets up at 5.00, lights the stove, milk the cow, cooks breakfast, and then lies on the couch with low pressure,” Russian cardiologists joke.

Nevertheless, the correspondent of Modus Vivendi took the side of the hypotonic and tried to find out from associate professor of the Department of Internal Medicine N2 of the Belarusian State Medical University, Ph.D. Elena BELSKAYA , when hypotension poses a threat to health.

– What do doctors understand by the term “hypotension”?

– Hypotension is usually called a decrease in blood pressure in men below 100/60 mm Hg. Art., and in women – below 90/50 mm Hg. Art., with the proviso that they feel great and tolerate low blood pressure well: there is no weakness, dizziness. For some people, hypotension may be a physiological norm.

– Can hypotension occur against the background of serious changes in the body?

– Yes, in this case we are already talking not about physiological (i.e.e. normal), but about pathological arterial hypotension. It can be a symptom of a serious illness.

– Which ones?

– The most common is the so-called. orthostatic hypotension, when when the position of the body changes, blood pressure decreases by more than 20 mm Hg. Art. in systolic pressure and more than 10 mm Hg. Art. diastolic. As a rule, orthostatic arterial hypotension is characteristic of the elderly. Especially those with diabetes or Parkinson’s disease.

In acute vascular insufficiency, arterial hypotension may appear against the background of bleeding.

Sometimes we talk about postprandial hypotension in patients with impaired tone of the sympathetic nervous system and in patients with diabetes mellitus: the pressure decreases due to the fact that the distribution of circulating blood is disturbed. The main outflow goes to the gastrointestinal tract, while the peripheral vessels are not fully supplied with blood.

Pathological arterial hypotension also occurs in patients with myocardial infarction.It can also be seen with some heart defects. Often, low blood pressure is the lot of patients with rhythm disturbances.

– Can hypotension occur in a completely healthy person?

– Now it is fashionable to starve for the sake of beauty, to go on diets … So, against the background of diets, there is often a decrease in sympathetic tone and, as a result, hypotension develops.

– Some sources indicate that hypotension is characterized by increased excitability and sensitivity to cold, bright light and loud sounds, anxiety and a tendency to motion sickness in transport…

– If arterial hypotension is a symptom of hypotonic neurocirculatory dystonia, then it may be so. Such people are often rocked in transport, they complain that they have “goosebumps” and feel “cold hands”.

– What does the term “high fitness hypotension” mean?

– This is the so-called. sports hypotension, which is a variant of the physiological norm. Trained people may have low blood pressure, and the tendency for a rare pulse is the response of the trained athlete’s heart and the neuroregulation of vascular tone to stress.

– Is hypotension the lot of the beautiful half of humanity or the strong?

– In general, hypotension is most common in women. It is they who, as a rule, are more prone to neurocirculatory dystonia. They also lose weight more often, and against the background of constant diets, they often develop anemic syndrome – the so-called. anemia.

– When is hypotension a real health threat?

– When it is a symptom of a serious illness. After all, hypotension happens, for example, with damage to the adrenal glands, but in this case, as a rule, it makes itself felt.A person does not even feel physiological hypotension until he measures the pressure and hears from the doctor: “Yes, you have hypotension.”

– Does hypotension need such constant pressure control as hypertension?

– Of course it does – if it is not well tolerated. If a person suffers from headaches, he is pursued by weakness, dizziness. Then in the morning you should have a cup of strong coffee, and even better – good tea. In the first-aid kit, a hypotensive who does not tolerate low blood pressure should have a tonometer.

– Is non-drug therapy used for hypotension?

– Non-drug therapy in this case is a correction of risk factors for the development of hypotension, one of which may be an unbalanced diet. Excessive fatigue is another risk factor. Today we even say that hypotension develops against the background of computer attachment. Low physical activity can be considered the third factor.

It follows that the key to treating hypotension is reasonable exercise, good rest, and balanced nutrition. A cup of strong coffee or tea, a slice of chocolate will slightly increase the pressure. It is quite possible to afford to eat something salty, such as a piece of herring.

BelGazeta , 30 November 2009

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90,000 The upper limit of the pressure norm is considered to be 130 to 80 – Rossiyskaya Gazeta

The message about changes related to hypertension immediately went beyond the medical community. Which is natural. After all, the number of hypertensive patients in the world has doubled over the past forty years.Today, 1.1 billion people suffer from hypertension. It is dangerous in itself. She is one of the main pathways to heart attacks and strokes. The new recommendations were adopted at the annual forum of the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society for the Treatment of Hypertension in Munich. Simon Matskeplishvili, a member of the forum, a member of its scientific committee, deputy director for scientific work of the Lomonosov University Clinic, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, answers the questions of the “RG” observer.

– Compared to the previous – 2013 – recommendations, there are several important changes in the new manual, – Simon Teimurazovich began the conversation.- Previously, for example, the goal of treatment was to lower blood pressure to values ​​below 140 by 90 millimeters of mercury. Now the upper limit of the norm is considered to be values ​​of 130 to 80.

These numbers are not the same for all ages?

Simon Matskeplishvili: There can be no single a priori. It is desirable for patients under 65 years of age to have systolic (“upper”) blood pressure in the range of 120-129 mm Hg. pillar. In patients over 65 years old, systolic pressure values ​​in the range of 140-150 mm were previously considered the norm.Now doctors need to achieve a decrease in these indicators to 130-139 mm Hg. Art. The same figures are recommended for people over 80 years old. And further. As a result of treatment, the lower pressure values ​​in all groups of patients, regardless of the degree of risk and concomitant diseases, should decrease not to 90, as was previously thought, but to 80 and below.

Why is the Munich Forum considered a kind of hypertension legislator?

There are many “40-year-olds” and “70-year-olds” around us.

Simon Matskeplishvili: This forum is the world’s largest scientific event in this field of medicine.The Congress, which is called European, is in fact worldwide: doctors from almost all countries of the world participate in its work. For example, most applications for speeches and symposia have been received from the United States for several years, followed by Japan for several years in a row.

What is the reason for such a high interest in new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure?

Simon Matskeplishvili: First, arterial hypertension is the main culprit in mortality on our planet.Second, the observational results presented at this congress showed that our achievements in the field of blood pressure control (as well as levels of cholesterol, glucose, physical activity) are far from desired. Of particular importance to the publication of this document was the release of similar recommendations of American colleagues in 2017, which were subject to considerable criticism. According to American criteria, about 49 percent of US residents can be considered hypertensive patients.Accordingly, doctors are not confident that the potential harm, significant costs and complexity of treatment justify this innovation. In general, the new European guidelines are less aggressive than the American ones, especially for elderly patients. The criterion for the diagnosis of arterial hypertension in the European recommendations was the pressure level of more than 140/90 mm Hg. Art. (in American – 130/80 mm Hg. Art.). This refers to the pressure measured at the doctor’s appointment. At home measurements, a pressure of more than 135/85 mm Hg was retained as a criterion for hypertension.Art. It is very important to measure the pressure correctly. Which, by the way, many patients (and doctors!) Are not trained.

How to resist a hypertensive misfortune?

Simon Matskeplishvili: It may surprise you, but one of the cornerstones of the treatment of arterial hypertension is lifestyle change. In many patients with an initial form of the disease, this alone is enough for a long-term normalization of blood pressure. Limiting salt intake, avoiding alcohol abuse, a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits in the diet, reducing and maintaining a normal body weight, regular physical activity, quitting smoking … All this can prolong life.But! Lifestyle changes are not a reason to postpone the initiation of drug therapy in patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications.

1.1 billion people suffer from hypertension

The omnipotent pill for hypertension appeared?

Simon Matskeplishvili: There are not many changes here. Rather, there are almost none. The list of drugs and their combinations remains the same. As the great doctor Sir William Osler said, “A bad doctor has twenty remedies for one diagnosis, and a good one cures all diseases.”The role of the patient himself is very important, his adherence to the recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor. Not even the best remedy will work if not taken. It is also important to control blood pressure during therapy. Let me remind you: low blood pressure is just as dangerous as high pressure. It is impossible to judge by the “classic” symptoms like pain or heaviness in the back of the head, “rush of blood” or “internal heat” about how much the pressure is increased. It is imperative to measure it at home or at a doctor’s appointment.I recommend that you forget about “working” and “senile” pressure. The pressure is normal or not. No other is given. It is important, from my point of view, to reduce conservatism in the management of elderly and senile patients. It was proposed to focus not on the passport, but on the biological age. After all, there are many “40-year-olds” and “70-year-olds” around us. In elderly patients in good physical shape, even at the age of 80, antihypertensive therapy and lifestyle changes are recommended at an upper pressure of 160 mm Hg.Art. With good tolerance, drug therapy is also possible in debilitated elderly patients. That is, it is never too late to start life-prolonging treatment.

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Photo: Alexander Korolkov / RG

Simon Teimurazovich Matskeplishvili was born in 1972 in Kutaisi. Graduated from the Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy in 1994. In 1997-1999 he completed an internship at the Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Council for Scientific Research in the Italian city of Pisa.In 2001 he received a diploma in European cardiology.

Author and co-author of more than 540 scientific papers in the field of cardiology in leading Russian and international publications. Matskeplishvili – Deputy Director for Research at the Lomonosov Moscow State University Clinic, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In the field of his scientific interests – the study and application of invasive and non-invasive methods for assessing pathologies of the cardiovascular system, the introduction of cellular technologies in the study of the heart.

Educational program

How to measure blood pressure correctly

• Before measuring blood pressure, you must rest for at least 5 minutes.
• Half an hour before the procedure, do not smoke, drink coffee or tea.
• During the measurement, sit with the back of a chair. The arm with the cuff should be motionless and lie comfortably on the table.
• No need to talk.
• The cuff should be wrapped around the upper arm with the center of the inflatable bag just over the brachial artery. The bottom edge of the cuff should be 2-3 cm above the elbow bend.
• Legs must not be crossed.
• Feet should be on the floor.
• The bladder must be emptied before measurement.
• The shoulder should not be squeezed by clothing. Measurement through clothing is not allowed.

Infographics “RG”: Leonid Kuleshov / RIA Novosti

How to raise the dropped pressure

With low blood pressure, a person suffers from weakness, dizziness, pain in the heart. How to raise blood pressure and is it dangerous to lower it, says Igor Ivanov, a cardiologist, deputy chief physician of St. George’s hospital.

It turns out that everything is not as simple with low blood pressure as with high blood pressure. With a persistent increase in blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg. Art. we’re talking about hypertension. For low pressures, it is difficult to draw a precise boundary.

Not always a disease

As a rule, chronic arterial hypotension is called a persistent decrease in blood pressure up to 90/60 mm. rt. Art. and below. For most healthy people, this pressure will not have any negative consequences for the body.So chronic habitual hypotension is not necessarily a disease.

It is quite another matter if the blood pressure dropped sharply, quickly. Then the patient often feels bad. So, a hypertensive person with the usual blood pressure figures of 170 and 90 mm Hg. Art. symptoms of hypotension may develop with blood pressure 140 and 80 mm Hg. Art. To be afraid of this, however, is also not worth it.

“We often see outwardly healthy people who feel great, but have low blood pressure, lower than 90 and 60 mm Hg.Art. However, most often this does not mean at all that something is wrong with them, – says Igor Ivanov. – A patient with chronic hypotension due to a particular disease will show symptoms of the disease.

If there are no symptoms, it is likely that hypotension is a constitutional feature. It is most often observed in young girls and people with low body weight. Moreover, the risks of developing serious diseases in them are not higher than in people with normal blood pressure, and much lower than in people with high blood pressure.Often, a predisposition to low blood pressure can be inherited, ”warns the doctor.

When sleepy

So, what does a person feel with a sharp drop in blood pressure?

The classic symptoms of hypotension are dizziness and weakness. They are explained by insufficient blood supply to the brain. The head is especially dizzy in an upright position of the body, since less blood is supplied.

The rest of the symptoms are most often associated with the cause that caused the pressure drop.So, if during a severe viral infection due to intoxication, pressure decreases, then headache, chills, aching muscles and joints will be a manifestation of this very intoxication.

Hypotension can develop with a variety of diseases: from myocardial infarction to gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as while taking a number of medications.

There are diseases that lead to chronic hypotension, for example, adrenal insufficiency, in which case a person gets tired quickly, he is overcome by apathy.He often yawns (due to oxygen deficiency), he wants to sleep. Sometimes hypotension is simply called sleeping sickness.

Where does this sleepy but very active disease come from? Most often, doctors note that the cause of hypotension is a violation of vascular tone.

“A sudden drop in blood pressure can be a symptom of serious illness. It is necessary to provide first aid and consult a doctor, advises Dr. Ivanov. – In case of severe dizziness, especially in case of fainting due to low pressure, it is necessary to lay the patient down and raise his legs above the level of the head, thus improving the blood supply to the brain.Even if the patient feels better, it is necessary to seek medical help, as it is required to deal with the causes of hypotension. If symptoms persist, an ambulance should be called immediately. ”

Eat spicy and spicy

If hypotension interferes with life, then it is imperative to be examined and look for the cause. And saline solutions will help raise the pressure, in particular, a sufficient intake of fluids (about 2 liters), especially mineral water, and caffeine-based stimulants (strong tea and coffee).

In case of hypotension, it is necessary to saturate the menu with proteins, vitamins and minerals. Usually in our diets we are forbidden to eat spicy foods. But hypotensive patients can! Spicy and spicy dishes stimulate appetite and stimulate digestion.

You can also afford salty: the salt will attract additional liquid and raise the pressure. It is better to eat a little 4-5 times a day. And you shouldn’t eat before bed.

Sports and dosed physical activity are important. Swimming is ideal, since in addition to physical activity, there will also be a thermal effect on the receptors.But there is no scientific information regarding cognac, which is used both to reduce pressure and to raise it.

“To avoid hypotension, it is necessary to periodically measure blood pressure, visit a cardiologist, eat right, do physical exercise, better medical, forget about smoking and alcohol, alternate work and rest, walk in the fresh air, temper using rubdowns and a contrast shower, sleep at least 10-12 hours, ”says a cardiologist of the highest category, deputy.the chief physician of the hospital of St. George, Igor Ivanov.

Hypotension | First aid courses

Blood pressure (BP) is one of the main vital signs along with heart rate, respiration and temperature. This is the force with which the blood presses on the walls of the vessels.

It is usually represented by two numbers.

• The first is systolic (upper) pressure is the pressure generated in the vessels during systole (heart contraction).
• Second – diastolic (lower) pressure is the pressure that exists in the vessels during relaxation of the heart (diastole).

Systolic pressure is always higher than diastolic pressure.

Normal pressure is considered to be in the intervals

• from 100 to 139 mm Hg. for systolic (“upper”) blood pressure
• from 60 to 89 mm Hg. Art. for diastolic (“lower”) blood pressure.

Hypotension – a condition in which blood pressure (BP) falls below normal.

Tachycardia (high pulse) – acceleration of the heart rate in an adult up to 90 beats per minute or more.

Low blood pressure with high heart rate may require emergency medical attention.

Usually, at first, a person’s blood pressure decreases, and then tachycardia develops as a compensatory reaction, which is aimed at improving the blood supply to organs and tissues.Less commonly, there is a situation where a rapid pulse precedes a decrease in blood pressure.

The causes of low blood pressure lie both in external influences on the body and in serious diseases.

Causes of high pulse at low pressure Physiological tachycardia against the background of low blood pressure can occur

– During physical exertion. Professional and novice athletes do not always correctly calculate the necessary physical activity and overstrain the body.It, in turn, goes into “energy-saving mode”, decreasing the heart rate and blood pressure.

– When adapting to new conditions . It is especially common among travelers. Climate change when moving to another country, a change in time zone, as well as a change in altitude when climbing mountains, may be associated with changes in atmospheric pressure.

– With emotional upheavals, with tress or depression.

– In case of violation of the usual diet of the body . If the body lacks nutrients to function properly, it responds by lowering blood pressure. A shortage can be caused by prolonged fasting, which is carried out to cleanse the body of toxins, as well as mono-diets, in which a person consumes only one product, depriving his body of the influx of nutrients. After consuming certain foods or drinks, for example, caffeinated ones, sugary carbonated drinks in large quantities.

– after a hot bath, a visit to a sauna or a bathhouse, a stay in a stuffy room, or in a subway car. The body is in unusually warm conditions. As a result, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure decreases.

The reasons why the pulse rises with low blood pressure include:

• severe and severe blood loss caused by illness, injury or injury. Losing blood, the heart begins to beat faster to maintain blood pressure, reducing the level of blood flow in the vessels.As a result, the pressure decreases and the skin turns blue.
• shock conditions against the background of allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock), poisoning, injuries;
• pregnancy period;
• with prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, heatstroke;
• exacerbation of internal diseases. Heart failure leads to the fact that the heart stops pumping blood normally, and the vessels lose their former elasticity.
• alcohol abuse;
• atherosclerotic lesions of the blood vessels;
• vitamin deficiency;
• decrease in body temperature;
• panic attacks;
• a sharp drop in blood glucose levels.
• a sharp increase in the level of thyroid hormones in the blood;
• sepsis (blood poisoning).
• taking certain medicines: antibiotics, antidepressants, painkillers, diuretics, some alcoholic tinctures and a number of other drugs.
• Overdose of narcotic substances also threatens the development of tachycardia, accompanied by hypotension.

Sometimes blood pressure drops due to a significantly accelerated heartbeat, since the heart does not have time to fill with blood, which leads to a decrease in the volume of ejected blood with each heartbeat.

Tachycardia leading to hypotension is rare. It can develop suddenly if you have coronary artery disease.

Symptoms of lowering blood pressure

• weakness, drowsiness, distracted attention, decreased performance;
• dizziness;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• loss of consciousness;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• pallor of the skin;
• slowing down or rapid heart rate.
• headache.
• Often, hypotension is accompanied by autonomic disorders – sweating of the palms and feet, thermoregulation disorders – a decrease in temperature to 35.8 – 36 ° C, sometimes there may be a feeling of incomplete inhalation or shortness of breath during exercise.

FIRST AID FOR HYPOTONIA

The first thing to do in the event of a sudden drop in blood pressure is to make sure that the victim is not diabetic and does not have any trauma or injury that could cause internal bleeding.Indeed, in the presence of internal bleeding, measures designed to increase blood pressure can accelerate blood loss, and an attempt to medically narrow blood vessels to increase pressure at low glucose levels will not give any result.

People with diabetes usually have tokens or cards in their documents confirming the presence of diabetes. This can help if the patient is unconscious or inadequate. Among the external signs of a sharp drop in glucose in a diabetic is the smell of acetone from the mouth.

If you are sure that the reason for the drop in pressure in the victim is not diabetes or internal bleeding, then the following actions should be taken.

• lay the victim on a horizontal surface, on his back,
• raising his legs, placing a pillow or rolled blanket under the shins.
• Provide fresh air, open a window or window,
• Unbutton or remove tight clothing.
• Measure blood pressure – you need to make sure that it is below normal, record the result, record the time.
• Drink strong hot, sweet tea.
• cover with a rug or blanket, because a drop in pressure is usually accompanied by a significant drop in body temperature.

If, despite the measures taken, the pressure continues to fall, the patient loses consciousness – immediately call an ambulance.

What categorically DO NOT do to increase pressure.

– Do not give caffeine tablets or coffee to the patient.Caffeine causes an increase in heart rate, and this is highly undesirable in a situation with low blood pressure.

– Never give alcohol to the patient. It dilates the peripheral vessels, and this will cause an even greater decrease in pressure.

– If the patient is conscious, there is no need to give him the smell of ammonia or other substances with a pungent odor – this will only increase the heaviness and pain in the head.

Human pressure: age indicators, how to measure it correctly and the reasons for deviations from the norm

Arterial blood pressure is a purely individual indicator and depends on many factors. And, nevertheless, there is a certain average medical norm. That is why deviations from the accepted indicators allow the doctor to suspect malfunctions in the body’s systems.

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However, it must be remembered that indicators can change.It depends, for example, on the time of day, as well as the age of the person. So, the pressure of a person is the norm by age, what is it, what does it depend on and why can it deviate? Portal davlenie.org tells.

What is blood pressure?

Behind this concept lies the force that the blood flow exerts on the walls of the vessels. Blood pressure indicators depend on the speed and strength of a person’s heart, as well as the total volume of blood that it is able to pass through itself within a minute.

And the recognized norm of pressure by age is one of the medical indicators of the correct functioning of the heart, the autonomic nervous system, and also the endocrine system.

Pressure standard

Foto: PantherMedia / Scanpix

Normal pressure in an adult should be determined only at rest, since any stress (both physical and emotional) has a huge impact on his performance. The human body independently controls blood pressure, and with a moderate load, its indicators rise by about 20 mm.Hg This is due to the fact that the muscles and organs involved in the work require a better blood supply.

If we talk about what blood pressure is considered normal, then at the moment the medicine recognized indicators in the range 91 … 139/61 .. . 89 mm Hg. In this case, the absolute norm is considered to be blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg, slightly increased – 130/85 mm Hg, increased normal – 139/89 mm Hg. An increase in numbers higher than 140/90 mm Hg already indicates the presence of pathology.

With age, irreversible processes occur in the human body, which provoke an increase in pressure throughout life. The older a person is, the higher his blood pressure readings.

Blood pressure: norm by age

What is normal human blood pressure? The question is somewhat abstract, since the norm for each person, most often, is individual. Educational medical literature suggests taking the figure of 120/80 mm as the norm.Hg It is these indicators that are recorded in people aged 20 … 40 years.

Normal blood pressure for a person aged 16 … 20 can be slightly lowered. This applies to both systolic and diastolic values. In general, the pressure at rest is 100/70 mm Hg. is a physiological norm.

Pressure standards by age (the table is presented a little below) are determined by the following indicators:

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As the table of human pressure shows, age-related changes relate to both upper and lower blood pressure.But you need to remember that these are just average clinical indicators.

But not only an increase, but also a decrease in blood pressure indicators is a sure sign of a deterioration in the activity of body systems. That is why the ability to use a tonometer can be attributed to a good prevention of almost all diseases. And in order to track the dynamics of pressure changes, you need to keep a special diary.

How to measure pressure correctly?

There is a special device for measuring blood pressure – a tonometer.At home, it is most convenient to use automatic or semi-automatic devices, since measuring with a manual tonometer requires a certain skill.

To obtain correct results, you must follow the following recommendations:

• before measuring pressure, you must completely exclude physical activity;
• smoking is prohibited;
• measuring blood pressure immediately after eating will also give incorrect results;
• measure blood pressure while sitting in a comfortable chair;
• the back must be supported;
• The hand on which the measurement is taken must be at the level of the heart, i. e.e. pressure is measured while sitting at the table;
• when measuring pressure, you must remain motionless and not talk;
• readings are taken from both hands (measurement interval 10 minutes).

Significant deviations from the norm require the obligatory consultation of a specialist doctor. Only a doctor, after passing all the diagnostic procedures, will be able to choose an adequate treatment for the existing problem.

Abnormality: probable causes

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There are many reasons that can provoke changes in blood pressure.But the most common are the following:

• Inability of the heart to work in the same mode and with the required strength.
• Change in blood quality. With age, it becomes thicker. And the thicker the blood, the more difficult it is for it to flow through the vessels. The cause of thickening can be, for example, such complex diseases as diabetes mellitus or autoimmune pathologies.
• Decreased vascular elasticity. This leads to an incorrect nutritional system, increased loads, and certain medications.
• Formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which form when the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood is increased.
• A sharp change in the lumen of the vessel caused by hormones.
• Abnormal functioning of the endocrine glands.

Most of the causes of pressure surges can be eliminated by yourself, which will allow you to maintain health as long as possible. Correctly selected diet, leading an active lifestyle, a calm attitude to life, which allows you to avoid stressful situations.Compliance with these simple rules allows you to normalize blood pressure.

Pulse, as an indicator of health

The next indicator of health, along with the numbers of blood pressure, is the pulse. A pulse in the range of 60… 80 beats / min is considered normal. The more intensive the metabolism takes place, the higher the number of beats per minute.

As well as for blood pressure indicators, there are averaged norms for different age categories.

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By measuring your heart rate, you can learn to recognize an impending problem.For example, if the number of heart beats increases 2-3 hours after eating, then poisoning can be suspected.

A magnetic storm in people who are acutely reacting to a sharp change in weather causes a decrease in blood pressure. The body reacts to this by increasing the heart rate in order to maintain the optimal blood pressure level.

An intense pulse, the blows of which a person feels very clearly, indicates a sharp increase in blood pressure.

90,000 High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease

Half of the inhabitants of our country die from diseases of the heart and blood vessels.And the main risk factor preceding misfortune is high blood pressure. Remember the numbers – 140 to 90. This is the limit after which a person replenishes the giant ranks of hypertensive patients.

Tonometer is an essential item in any home. If you often become weak, dizzy and have a headache, start measuring your blood pressure in the morning. More heart attacks and strokes occur from 6 to 10 hours.

Sharp pressure surges occur in elderly people, as well as in people who simply do not move much.This is due to the fact that with age and with a sedentary lifestyle, the walls of the vessels become hard, inelastic, that is, they simply cannot stretch with a strong blood flow. And this influx happens when you walked quickly, jumped up from your chair valiantly, and just left the room in the cold. Therefore, for a correct diagnosis, it makes sense to measure blood pressure, first while sitting and then standing.

Hypertension is the right thing. If you already have it, it will not lag behind until the end of days. To neutralize it, there are modern medicines, which doctors will help to choose. But doctors and pills are only half the battle in controlling blood pressure. There is also you and your unhealthy lifestyle.

Salt is one of the main allies of hypertension

Once in the UK, bread producers were ordered to reduce the salt content of their products. After a few years, the average blood pressure indicators for the entire nation also decreased. Salt is one of the main allies of hypertension. A set of products with an overwhelming content of this seasoning is well known – canned food, sausages, sausages, ketchup sauces, even cakes, if baking powder was added to them.But you need to start monitoring your salt intake not with those foods in which there is a lot of it, but with those that we often eat. Bread is just such a product.

Ideally, a person should eat no more than 5 g of salt per day. In Russia, the average is more than 12 g. Only 9% of surveyed Russian citizens consume less than 6 g of salt per day.

Physical education against hypertension

If you already have hypertension – go to the rehabilitation center, there they will select the set of physical exercises you need.In the meantime, the tonometer behaves quietly, buy a bicycle, rollers, get a dog, break an elevator at work – find any excuse to break away from your favorite kitchen stool.

All muscles, including the walls of blood vessels, become elastic from physical education. And when needed, they will stretch, not burst, allowing blood to flow.

For the normal functioning of the body, an adult needs to exercise at least 150 minutes a week. And still pass 10 thousand steps a day.

Alcohol is allowed, but only one portion a day – a glass of cognac or a glass of wine. In such homeopathic doses, he will control cholesterol plaques and stabilize the pressure. And the cigarette will have to be thrown so that the already fragile wall of the vessels does not collapse completely under high pressure.

Based on materials from profilaktika.