What does a blood pressure reading of 105/50 indicate. How can low blood pressure affect your health. What are the symptoms of hypotension. How to manage and treat low blood pressure effectively. When should you seek medical attention for low blood pressure.

Decoding Blood Pressure: What Does 105/50 Mean?

A blood pressure reading of 105/50 mmHg is considered low blood pressure, also known as hypotension. This occurs when blood pressure falls below the normal range of 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg. While low blood pressure isn’t always a cause for concern, it can lead to various health issues if left unaddressed.

To understand the implications of a 105/50 reading, let’s break down the numbers:

• 105 represents the systolic pressure (pressure when the heart contracts)
• 50 represents the diastolic pressure (pressure when the heart relaxes between beats)

Is 105/50 dangerously low? While it’s below the normal range, it may not be immediately life-threatening for everyone. However, if you consistently have readings this low, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation.

Causes and Risk Factors of Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension can occur due to various factors. Understanding these can help in identifying the root cause and determining appropriate treatment options.

Common causes of low blood pressure include:

• Dehydration
• Blood loss
• Certain medications
• Heart problems
• Endocrine disorders
• Pregnancy
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Severe infections or allergic reactions

Are some people more prone to low blood pressure? Yes, certain factors can increase your risk of developing hypotension:

1. Age: Older adults are more susceptible to low blood pressure
2. Certain medical conditions: Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes can affect blood pressure regulation
3. Medications: Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, depression, or Parkinson’s disease can lower blood pressure

Recognizing the Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

Identifying the symptoms of low blood pressure is crucial for timely intervention. While some people with low blood pressure may be asymptomatic, others might experience various signs.

Common symptoms of hypotension include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting (syncope)
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Lack of concentration
• Cold, clammy skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Depression

Can low blood pressure cause long-term damage? While occasional drops in blood pressure are usually harmless, chronic hypotension can lead to insufficient blood flow to vital organs, potentially causing damage over time.

Diagnosing Low Blood Pressure: Beyond the Numbers

Diagnosing hypotension involves more than just a single blood pressure reading. Healthcare professionals consider various factors to determine if low blood pressure is a concern.

The diagnostic process may include:

1. Multiple blood pressure readings over time
2. Review of medical history and symptoms
3. Physical examination
4. Blood tests to check for underlying conditions
5. Electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart function
6. Echocardiogram to evaluate heart structure and function
7. Stress tests to observe blood pressure changes during physical activity

Why is it important to get professional diagnosis? Home blood pressure monitors may not always provide accurate readings, and factors like white coat syndrome or masked hypertension can affect results in clinical settings. A comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare provider ensures a more accurate diagnosis.

Treatment Approaches for Low Blood Pressure

Managing low blood pressure often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medical interventions. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Lifestyle modifications to manage low blood pressure:

• Increasing fluid and salt intake
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoiding alcohol
• Standing up slowly from sitting or lying positions
• Wearing compression stockings
• Exercising regularly to improve circulation

Medical treatments for hypotension may include:

• Fludrocortisone to increase blood volume
• Midodrine to raise standing blood pressure
• Droxidopa for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension
• Adjusting medications that may be causing low blood pressure

How quickly can low blood pressure be corrected? The timeline for improvement varies depending on the cause and chosen treatment. Some lifestyle changes may show results within a few days, while medical treatments might take several weeks to become fully effective.

Dietary Considerations for Managing Low Blood Pressure

Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. For those with hypotension, certain dietary changes can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Foods that can help raise blood pressure:

• Salt: Increased sodium intake can help raise blood pressure
• Fluids: Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining blood volume
• Caffeine: Moderate consumption can temporarily boost blood pressure
• Vitamin B12-rich foods: Such as eggs, beef, and fortified cereals
• Licorice tea: Contains glycyrrhizin, which can raise blood pressure

Foods to limit or avoid:

• Alcohol: Can lead to dehydration and lower blood pressure
• High-carbohydrate meals: May cause a sudden drop in blood pressure
• Processed foods: Often high in unhealthy fats and low in nutrients

Should you consult a nutritionist for low blood pressure? While general dietary guidelines can be helpful, working with a registered dietitian can provide personalized advice tailored to your specific needs and health conditions.

Complications and Comorbidities Associated with Low Blood Pressure

While low blood pressure itself isn’t always dangerous, it can lead to various complications if left untreated. Understanding these potential risks is crucial for proper management and prevention.

Potential complications of chronic hypotension include:

• Falls and injuries due to fainting or dizziness
• Shock, in severe cases
• Decreased blood flow to vital organs
• Cognitive impairment in older adults

Comorbidities often associated with low blood pressure:

1. Heart conditions: Such as heart valve disorders or heart failure
2. Endocrine disorders: Including diabetes and thyroid problems
3. Neurological conditions: Like Parkinson’s disease or multiple system atrophy
4. Dehydration: Often due to illness, excessive heat, or inadequate fluid intake

How does low blood pressure affect the body’s organs? Chronic hypotension can lead to inadequate blood supply to vital organs, potentially causing damage to the brain, heart, and kidneys over time.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Low Blood Pressure

While mild hypotension may not always require immediate medical attention, certain situations call for prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional.

Seek medical care if you experience:

• Frequent fainting or severe dizziness
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Severe headache
• Irregular heartbeat
• Fever or signs of infection
• Confusion or disorientation
• Blurred vision
• Cold, clammy, pale skin

Is low blood pressure an emergency? While not always an emergency, severe hypotension can lead to shock, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention. If you experience symptoms of shock, such as confusion, cold and clammy skin, weak and rapid pulse, and shallow breathing, seek emergency care immediately.

Preparing for your doctor’s appointment:

1. Keep a log of your blood pressure readings
2. Note any symptoms you’ve experienced
3. List all medications and supplements you’re taking
4. Prepare questions about your condition and treatment options

By understanding the implications of a 105/50 blood pressure reading and recognizing the signs and symptoms of hypotension, you can take proactive steps to manage your health. Remember, while low blood pressure can be concerning, with proper diagnosis and treatment, most people can effectively manage their condition and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Blood Pressure 105/50: What Does It Indicate?

A blood pressure of 105/50 indicates that you are having a LOW BLOOD PRESSURE which can be an immediate health crisis if the levels are too low.

This article tells you:

• What does a 105/50 blood pressure mean?
• What should you do if you have 105/50 blood pressure?
• Some easy to do home remedies and supplementations.
• Frequently asked question that will answer many of your queries regarding your 105/50 blood pressure.

The blood pressure value of 105/50 specifies the fact that the individual in question is suffering from low blood pressure or hypotension.

This is the medical condition that arises when the value of readings for the blood pressure of a person is less than [90/60].

The ideal blood pressure for an individual is between [90/60] and [120/80]. But for any reason, if the blood pressure falls below the specified readings, then the person can be said to be suffering from hypotension.

The medical condition of hypotension means that the pressure exercised by the blood flowing through the vessels over those is lower than the expected value.

And the same can be said in terms of the heart pumping blood to all the parts of the body. Low BP indicates that the heart is not able to pump blood to all the body parts to the extent that has been termed as necessary. And therefore, more complicated medical problems arise because of Low BP.

The effects or symptoms of these problems are not visible in the overall health of an individual. But these do certainly affect the individual in more ways than just one.

Here is a set-by-step procedure to follow when you figure out you have a blood pressure of 105/50.

If your blood is 105/50 and you have checked the same in your home setup, it is highly recommended to get it checked at your doctor’s office.

A trained professional has to clinically assess your condition and confirm that your 105/50 is, in fact, clinically valid.

There are instances when your reading at home setup might give you a reading which is incorrectly reported. It could be because of an error in reading it, damage to your device, your physical or mental condition on that particular day, etc.

Therefore, a doctor has to assess it over the course of 7 – 30 days periodically before he/she can confirm the accurate stage of your blood pressure.

In some cases, a patient might report wrong blood pressure in a hospital setup, called white coat hypertension. Here the patient may show higher blood pressure than their actual because of the anxiety inside a hospital environment.

In contrast, some patients may have masked hypertension in which the person may show lower blood pressure at clinical setup, but at home, they may have higher blood pressure.

All these conditions are linked to physiology and psychology and, therefore, better to be validated by a doctor.

Even the small changes that you make in your life can lead to having a really impressive effect on your overall health. And, the same can be said regarding the problem of low blood pressure.

If you choose to make reasonable changes in your lifestyle, you can improve your blood pressure to a significant level.

Here are some of the changes that you can bring into your lifestyle to improve your health and your blood pressure level:

You do not need to hesitate from consulting with a physiotherapist about the problems that you are having. Through a relationship of mutual trust, you will be able to get a prescription that will be best suited for your body and overall health.

Following are the prescribed medicines that are greatly helpful for people suffering from low blood pressure.

There are significant changes that you can see in your health if you were to eat healthily every day. And particularly in the case of hypotension, you should know what to eat and what not to.

Some of the comorbidities associated with low blood pressure include heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart valve disorder, bradycardia, and hormonal imbalance.

When you have 105/50, the above-mentioned comorbidities may follow; if correctly, medical attention is not sought.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to treat your hypotension, get it back to a normal level of 120/80 and maintain it.

Even stress is linked to hypotension in some patients. Since the human body reacts differently to different situations, not necessarily depression and anxiety lead to hypertension, but hypotension too. 

This is why it is important to get medical attention rather than treating yourself so that the root cause will be rectified and corrected.

Sometimes managing blood pressure is all about supplementing your body with the right diet. Food is undoubtedly the best primary source to supplement your body.

However, in the current scenarios, we all know how much adultered our foodstuff is, and most of us are pushed towards processed foods to feed ourselves in this fast-paced world.

All these food are high in sugar and sodium and doesn’t contain any vital nutrients that are important for a healthy heart.

This is where some of the nutraceutical-based blood pressure supplements come in handy. These products combine all critical nutrients your heart craves, thereby assisting the better function of your cardiovascular system.

Generally, these supplements are a concoction of herbs, plant-based products, dairy products, and some animal products. They are 100% organic and natural and don’t contain any harmful chemicals.

If you are hearing about these segments of products for the first time,  to start with, you may blindly go for Blood Pressure Support from Vita Balance Inc, Blood Pressure Optimizer from HFL, or Corsanum, marketed by PLT Group.

The only one thing to keep in mind is that choose the best supplement that promote healthy blood pressure, because when it comes to the heart, there is no taking of risk!

Low Blood Pressure or hypotension is not a problem to be made light of. If done so, it will only lead to more complications shortly. Rather than disregarding this problem, consulting with a professional physiotherapist will do you no harm.

Together, you can come up with the best solutions for you, especially when your blood pressure reading is 105/50.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the blood pressure, and what are the normal values?

Blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by the blood flowing through arteries over those. Alongside that, this is the efficiency with which the blood is pumped by the heart to all the parts of the body through the circulatory system.

The normal values for blood pressure are between [90/60] and [120/80]. If a person has a blood pressure equivalent to this much, then it means that the blood will be flowing through the arteries relatively easily.

2. What is considered to be high blood pressure?

Blood pressure over the value of [130/80] is considered high blood pressure. This signifies that high pressure is being exerted by the blood flowing through the vessels over those.

And therefore, it is difficult for the human heart to be able to pump blood to all the parts of the body rather efficiently. This is a problem that can arise when the size of the vessels is contracted compared to the original size.

3. What is considered to be low blood pressure?

A blood pressure lesser than the value of [90/60] is termed low blood pressure. This type of value means that low pressure is put forward by the blood over the vessels that are carrying it. It can also be taken as a measure that, the blood is not able to reach all the parts of the body.

Or, the heart is not capable of circulating blood to all the parts of the body in an effective way. This problem in blood pressure is mainly the effect of dehydration and pregnancy.

4. What are hypertension and hypotension? Are they both the same as high and low blood pressure?

Hypertension is the condition that emerges when a person is having high blood pressure. Because of contraction in vessels, the blood can not flow through the vessels efficiently, and therefore, high pressure is exerted over the blood vessels, this particular condition is high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension.

Hypotension is the condition that comes into effect when the blood pressure of a person is lower compared to the ideal value of blood pressure. This means that the heart is unable to pump blood through the blood vessels to all the body parts. This type of situation when observed is called low blood pressure, or hypotension.

5. What will happen to your general health when you have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure puts you at an imminent risk of arteries rupture because of the high pressure applied over those by the circulating blood. This can, in turn, affect the circulation of blood to all the parts of the body, and your heart itself. And, the latter part can lead you to some serious heart diseases. The high pressure applied over the heart walls can put you close to the risk of heart attack and heart failure.

6. What causes high blood pressure and low blood pressure?

The medical conditions of high blood pressure and low blood pressure are both effects of the lifestyle that we lead. This means that if we adapt to a lifestyle that is in line with our body and overall physical fitness, then we will have ideal blood pressure.

But, if our lifestyle is deviated from what we had started, some medical conditions can arise. High blood pressure and low blood pressure are some of those problems.

7. What are the risks of having high blood pressure?

The most serious risk that is faced by an individual that is suffering from high blood pressure is the risk of heart attack, heart failure, or some chronic disease related to the heart.

Moreover, there are also the additional risks of strokes, vision loss, diabetes, kidney failure, unresponsiveness to external stimuli, chronic chest pain, artery damage, and vascular dementia.

8. What can I do to lower my blood pressure?

To lower your blood pressure, the foremost step should be to limit the intake of sodium salts. Then, it will be good for you to opt for a healthy lifestyle; eat healthy meals and exercise daily. Try to maintain your weight to healthy proportions. Limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine-related beverages, and quit smoking.

Also, you need to have an adequate amount of rest every day and keep your stress and anxiety in proper check. If you continue to face high blood pressure problems even after making these changes in your lifestyle, it will be good for you to consult with a physiotherapist to discuss your blood pressure medications.

9. What are the risks of having low blood pressure?

The harmful effects that are associated with low blood pressure are not as prominent as what is associated with high blood pressure, but they can serve to be just as much harmful in the long run. Low blood pressure can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness, and confusion for a prolonged period.

This is a condition that can make you weak physically as well as mentally. Low blood pressure leads to a depletion in the effectiveness of motor senses, and the subject is likely to faint from time to time. This condition can also lead to blurred vision and can damage peripheral nerves over a long time.

10. What can I do to increase my blood pressure?

Increase the usage of table salts in your diet, and drink plenty of water. Limit your intake of alcohol as it is a dehydrating agent. Increase your diet by taking small meals multiple times with low carbs. Exercise daily and try to take up a lifestyle that will be good for your health and physical well-being.

Try to maintain a body weight that will be good as per your physical stature and age. Avoid changing positions abruptly, and wear compression stockings to improve blood flow in the legs. Also, consult a physiotherapist regarding your medications for low blood pressure.

11. Can smoking and alcohol affect my blood pressure?

Smoking and alcohol have an active impact on the blood pressure levels of an individual. These can lead to an effective change in the size of arteries that carry blood to all the parts of the body.

Heavy intake of alcohol can increase blood pressure in individuals to a significantly high level and this can even lead to long-term blood pressure issues in the individual. On the other hand, smoking is as bad as it can be. It leads to the contraction of blood vessels, which increases the pressure of blood over the heart walls. This puts you at risk of heart disease.

12. How to correctly check my blood pressure at home?

If you want to check your blood pressure at home, you can use portable blood pressure monitors to do so. These are highly adaptable and can help provide you with your blood pressure levels closest to accurate.

But if you are seeking precision in the readings, then it will be good if you were to follow certain measures. For once, avoid intake of caffeine and alcohol before taking the reading. And, have a proper rest of nearly 10 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.

13. Why is it important to visit a doctor to confirm high/low blood pressure?

It is important to visit a doctor regarding blood pressure for the sake of the precision of the outcome or the result of the readings. Moreover, in a proper medical facility and care of professionals, you will be able to get guidance about how to keep your blood pressure in check if it is not per your ideal blood pressure.

Also, you can get a consultation regarding the changes that you will need to make in your lifestyle to bring your blood pressure back in check.

14. Should you be worried about high blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure during the latter half of the pregnancy is not that rare of an occurrence. However, it is not something to make light of either. If not treated properly, or significant steps are not taken regarding it, this high blood pressure may pose danger to the health of the parent as well as the baby.

This type of high blood pressure or hypertension is called gestational hypertension, and it is not long-lasting. It goes away after the delivery of the baby.

15. What are some of the symptoms to watch out for in high blood pressure?

The symptoms of high blood pressure are not something that can be ignored readily. These symptoms include severe headache, anxiety attacks, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, blood spots in the eyes, intense fatigue, blurred or distorted vision, and vomiting or nausea. These symptoms are not something to be taken lightly.

High blood pressure is not an incurable problem, but measures are needed to be taken against it in the due time. So, don’t make light of the symptoms and consult a physiotherapist regarding these.

16. What foods should you eat to lower blood pressure?

To lower blood pressure eat a diet that is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Besides this, it is good to take short meals that are low in curbs. Instead of deep-fried products, it will be good if you were to incline towards a diet that is mainly consisting of vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and other leafy green vegetables.

Consume lots of low-fat poultry and dairy products. These will help enable a healthy diet for you and help you lean towards a healthy lifestyle.

17. What are the best herbs and spices for high blood pressure?

Many known herbs and spices are proven to have a significant effect on high blood pressure. Significantly, basil, parsley, Chinese cat’s claw, celery seeds, Brahmi, thyme, garlic, and ginger are the herbs that are most commonly made use of by people that are suffering from high blood pressure. Along with these, cardamom, cloves, ajwain, green oat, and flaxseeds are the spices that help manage high blood pressure.

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105/50 blood pressure – is it good or bad?

Home > Resources > Blood pressure lookup > 105/50

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure throughout your life is one of the most important things you can do for long-term health and longevity. Whether you’re looking up a blood pressure of 105/50 for yourself or a loved one or simply out of your own curiosity, you’re taking the right steps by being informed and empowering yourself or someone else to be their own best advocate.

According to the American Heart Association, a blood pressure reading of 105/50 would be considered
hypotension, or low blood pressure. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is defined by a systolic reading (the top number) of less than 90 or a diastolic reading (the bottom number) of less than 60. Low blood pressure generally isn’t considered an issue unless it causes symptoms (such as dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting) or unless it drops suddenly.

Okay, now you know how to classify a blood pressure of 105/50, but now what do you do with that information? Read on to learn more or look up another blood pressure reading.

What is a good blood pressure reading?

According to the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure reading is lower than 120/80. While there is no specific number for low blood pressure, most experts say blood pressure is too low when it causes symptoms or drops suddenly. In general, though, low blood pressure can be considered anything under 90/60.

More information about a blood pressure reading of 105/50

A blood pressure reading of 105/50 is pronounced “105 over 50.” You may also see it written colloquially as 105/50 bp.

In a blood pressure reading of 105/50, 105 is called the systolic number and 50 is called the diastolic number. Systolic refers to the part of the cardiac cycle in which the heart contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries, and diastolic refers to the part of the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood. You may also hear the systolic and diastolic numbers referred to as the top number and the bottom number.

Systolic and diastolic readings are measured in mmHg, which is a unit of pressure equal to the pressure that can support a column of mercury 1 millimeter high. Hg is the chemical symbol for mercury. For a blood pressure reading of 105/50, you would pronounce it “105 over 50 millimeters of mercury.”

How do you measure blood pressure?

In a doctor’s office, blood pressure is traditionally taken manually by a doctor or nurse with a sphygmomanometer. A sphygmomanometer is a medical instrument with an inflatable cuff and pressure meter or dial. The sphygmomanometer is placed snugly around the upper arm and is inflated by hand, and the doctor or nurse listens to the brachial artery with a stethoscope as they gradually reduce the pressure of the cuff. When the whooshing sound of blood is first heard through the stethoscope, the doctor or nurse makes note of the reading on the pressure meter. This indicates the systolic blood pressure reading. When the sound disappears, the reading on the pressure meter indicates the diastolic pressure reading.

Blood pressure can also be taken at home using a number of a digital devices. They typically consist of an inflatable cuff and digital display and simply work by placing the cuff around the upper arm and pressing a button, after which the cuff inflatess, deflates, and displays a reading. The most popular blood pressure machines for home use are made by Omron, Beurer, and Paramed, amongst many others.

One thing to keep in mind is that blood pressure can vary by time of day and activity level, so if you’re taking it at home it’s important to check it around the same time each day and rest for a few minutes ahead of time to limit as many variables as possible. It can also be affected by eating.

Blood pressure tends to rise in the hours before waking and then drop in the afternoon and evening before dropping to its lowest point while sleeping, so one popular recommendation is to check it just after waking up and just before bed to identify trends in how it varies from morning until night. Because of this, you might find that if your blood pressure is 105/50 in the morning, it might be lower before bed, and vice versa. Of course, these are just general rules of thumb and may vary by the individual.

Relevant HSA expenses

If you have an HSA as part of your health insurance plan, you’ll be pleased to find that blood pressure monitors, blood pressure cuffs, and wrist blood pressure monitors are all eligible, including smart blood pressure monitors like the offerings from Qardio and Withings.

How the heck do you pronounce sphygmomanometer?

Sphygmomanometer is pronounced sfig-moh-muh-‘nah-mi-ter. Easy!

Explore blood pressure readings similar to 105/50

The following table shows related blood pressure readings because sometimes just one number can make all the difference.

Please note that if a field is blank, it’s not an accident—it simply means a record doesn’t exist for that particular blood pressure. This could be because going forward or backward would create a blood pressure reading that wouldn’t make sense, or because that blood pressure simply doesn’t exist in our records.

Sources

• Understanding blood pressure readings – American Heart Association
• High blood pressure – Mayo Clinic
• Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring – Mayo Clinic
• Blood pressure – Wikipedia
• How to pronounce sphygmomanometer – Dictionary. com

Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended to be an educational reference and is not to be taken as medical advice. If you think you’re having a hypertensive or hypotensive emergency, or if you’re having any kind of medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.

Arrhythmia: what happens, symptoms and treatment of cardiac arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is any violation of the regularity or frequency of the normal rhythm of the heart, its conduction.

Heart rate (HR) increases during exercise and decreases at rest – during rest or sleep. From time to time, the heart can “skip” beats, these sensations are a variant of the norm. However, if the irregular rhythm occurs frequently, it means that the heart is not pumping enough blood to deliver it throughout the body.

There are many types of arrhythmias, they are classified according to the heart rate and the location of the myocardium that is the abnormal source of the rhythm. A heart rate of more than 90-100 beats per minute is called a tachyarrhythmia, a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute is called a bradyarrhythmia. Arrhythmias can occur in the atria (upper chambers of the heart) or ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). Accordingly, supraventricular arrhythmias are distinguished (the pacemaker is a section of the heart muscle in which impulses are generated that determine the heart rate – located in the atria or in the atrioventricular node) and ventricular (the pacemaker is located in the ventricles of the heart).

The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (atrial fibrillation), an arrhythmia characterized by irregular heartbeats. Heart rate here can reach more than 400 beats per minute.

An arrhythmia may be accompanied by dizziness, weakness, fatigue, difficulty breathing, swelling, discomfort or pain in the chest, a feeling of fear or anxiety, a sinking or “fluttering” of the heart, loss of consciousness.

Arrhythmia is treatable with drug therapy and other methods. If left untreated, there is a risk of damage to the heart, brain, and other organs, which can lead to life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart failure, or cardiac arrest.

Causes of arrhythmia

The occurrence of arrhythmia may be associated with age and chronic diseases. So, as a person ages, morphological changes in the myocardium occur: a decrease in the number of cardiomyocytes, the accumulation of collagen, and others. In addition, the consequence of age-related changes (as well as coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction) may be a local or diffuse proliferation of connective scar tissue in the heart, which prevents the formation of an electrical impulse or interrupts its passage through the heart muscle. Chronic diseases (often occurring in old age) that can lead to arrhythmia include arterial hypertension, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, diabetes mellitus, kidney and lung diseases, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism. Arrhythmias caused by congenital heart defects or hereditary pathologies are more common in children and young people.

Arrhythmias can be inherited from parents or other close relatives. It is sometimes associated with medications (antibiotics, over-the-counter allergy and cold remedies), obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, stress or anxiety, electrolyte imbalances, viral infections (including COVID-19). The risk of disturbances in the regularity or frequency of a normal heart rhythm increases if a person smokes, drinks a lot of coffee, uses psychoactive substances, and abuses alcohol.

When should I see a doctor if I have an arrhythmia?

It is necessary to consult a doctor if you notice a violation of the regularity or frequency of the normal heart rhythm, there is a feeling that the heart “skips” beats. Urgent medical attention is needed if the arrhythmia is accompanied by shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, discomfort or pain in the chest, loss of consciousness.

Which doctors should I contact for arrhythmias?

To determine the causes of arrhythmia, diagnose the condition and treat it is necessary to contact a therapist (pediatrician), cardiologist, arrhythmologist.

Author:

Amelicheva Alena Aleksandrovna
medical editor

Publication date: September 13, 2022

Update date: May 27, 2023

Hypertension / bwell-swiss.

ru

Blood pressure e pressure, inside the capillaries – capillary pressure and inside veins – venous). Pressure provides the possibility of moving blood through the circulatory system, as a result of which metabolic processes are carried out in the tissues of the body.

The value of arterial pressure is determined mainly by the force of heart contractions, the amount of blood that the heart ejects with each contraction, the resistance exerted by the blood flow of the walls of blood vessels (especially peripheral ones). The amount of circulating blood, its viscosity, fluctuations in pressure in the abdominal and chest cavities associated with respiratory movements, and other factors also affect the amount of blood pressure.

Blood pressure reaches its maximum level during contraction (systole) of the left ventricle of the heart. In this case, 60-70 ml of blood is pushed out of the heart. This amount of blood cannot pass through the small blood vessels (especially capillaries) at once, so the elastic aorta is stretched and its pressure rises (systolic pressure). Normally, it reaches 100-140 mm Hg in large arteries. Art.

During the pause between contractions of the ventricles of the heart (diastole), the walls of blood vessels (aorta and large arteries), being stretched, begin to contract and push blood into the capillaries. Blood pressure gradually falls and by the end of diastole reaches a minimum value (70-80 mm Hg in large arteries). The difference in the magnitude of systolic and diastolic pressure, or rather fluctuations in their values, we perceive in the form of a pulse wave, which is called the pulse.

Blood pressure in blood vessels decreases with distance from the heart. So, in the aorta, the pressure is 140/90 mmHg (The first number is systolic or upper pressure, and the second is diastolic or lower). In large arteries, the pressure averages 120/75 mm Hg. In arterioles, there is practically no difference in systolic and diastolic pressure, and blood pressure is about 40 mm Hg. In the capillaries, blood pressure drops to 10-15 mm Hg. When blood passes into the venous bed, blood pressure decreases even more, and in the largest veins (superior and inferior vena cava) blood pressure may be negative.

Normal blood pressure depends on individual characteristics, lifestyle, occupation. Its value changes with age, increases with physical activity, emotional stress, etc. However, in persons systematically engaged in heavy physical labor, as well as in athletes, the value of systolic pressure can decrease and be 100-90, and diastolic – 60 and even 50 mm Hg.

Approximate values ​​of arterial pressure in different age periods:

Normal blood pressure for a healthy adult is 100-129 (upper) and 70-80 (lower). If the pressure is above these values, but below 140 (upper) and 90 (lower), it is called “normal high”.
In children, the value of systolic pressure can be approximately calculated by the formula 80 + 2a, where a is the number of years of a child’s life.

Despite significant fluctuations in blood pressure (for example, depending on the load, emotional state, etc.), the body has complex mechanisms for regulating its level, seeking to return the pressure to normal after these factors are over. In some cases, the mechanisms of this regulation are violated, which leads to a change in the level of blood pressure. A persistent change in blood pressure upwards is called arterial hypertension (hypertension), and downwards – arterial hypotension. Although the change in blood pressure often plays a protective and adaptive role, if it deviates from the norm, it is better to consult a doctor.

Hypertension

Hypertension accounts for up to 90% of all cases of chronic high blood pressure. In economically developed countries, 18-20% of adults suffer from hypertension, that is, they have repeated rises in blood pressure up to 140/90 mm Hg. and higher. They are guided by the values ​​​​of the so-called “random” pressure, measured after a five-minute rest, in a sitting position, three times in a row (the lowest values ​​\u200b\u200bare taken into account). At the first examination of patients, the doctor measures the pressure necessarily on both arms, if necessary, on the legs.

Symptoms and course of hypertension

Hypertension usually occurs at the age of 30-60 years, proceeds chronically with periods of deterioration and improvement.

Stage I hypertension (mild)

• is characterized by rises in blood pressure in the range of 160-180 / 95-105 mm Hg. Art. This level is unstable, during rest it gradually normalizes. Disturbed by pain and noise in the head, poor sleep, decreased mental performance. Occasionally – dizziness, bleeding from the nose.

Stage II hypertension (medium)

• – higher and more stable blood pressure (180-200/105-115 mmHg at rest). Increasing headaches in the heart, dizziness. Hypertensive crises (sudden and significant rises in blood pressure) are possible. There are signs of damage to the heart, the central nervous system (transient disorders of cerebral circulation, strokes), changes in the fundus, and a decrease in blood flow in the kidneys.

Stage III hypertension (severe)

• – pressure reaches 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art., there is no independent normalization of it. Such a load on the vessels causes irreversible changes in the activity of the heart (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias), the brain (strokes, encephalopathy), the fundus of the eye (damage to the retinal vessels – retinopathy), kidneys (reduced blood flow, glomerular filtration, chronic renal failure ).

Recognition is carried out on the basis of data from a systematic determination of blood pressure , identification of characteristic changes in the fundus, electrocardiogram.

Hypertension must be distinguished from secondary arterial hypertension (symptomatic) that occurs in diseases of the kidneys, renal vessels, endocrine organs (Isepko-Cushing’s disease, acromegaly, primary aldosteronism, thyrotoxicosis), circulatory disorders (aortic atherosclerosis, valve insufficiency aorta, complete atrioventricular blockade, coarctation of the aorta).

Treatment.

Non-drug: weight loss, salt restriction, spa treatment, physiotherapy.

The doctor prescribes medication, which may include various drugs that lower blood pressure (enalapril, metoprolol, etc.), diuretics (hypothiazid, brinaldix, triampur, etc.), etc. In this case, the selection of therapy should be carried out purely individually.

So, a patient with hypertension should not:

• Smoking.
• Eat salty, spicy, fatty foods.
• Gain extra pounds.
• To abuse alcohol, especially to combine drinking with medication.
• Work at night, sleep less than 7 hours.
• Nervous over trifles.
• Be sedentary
• Skip or stop taking medicine prescribed by a doctor
• Test on oneself medicines that “helped” a neighbor (brother, matchmaker, etc.)

Wanted:

• Quit smoking.
• Limit salt intake. Herbal spices will help make dishes less bland.
• Eat more greens, fruits, foods rich in potassium, and do not get carried away with protein foods.
• Eat regularly, especially if medication is timed with the meal.
• Try to lose extra pounds.
• Be able to switch, not get hung up on troubles.
• Move more. Walking, swimming, therapeutic exercises are especially useful.
• Use a blood pressure monitor – regularly measure blood pressure.
• Follow all doctor’s recommendations. You should be especially careful when it comes to taking medications

Hypotension

Hypotension (primary chronic hypotension, essential hypotension) is a disease associated with dysfunction of the nervous system and neurohormonal regulation of vascular tone, accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure. The initial background of such a state is asthenia associated with traumatic situations, chronic infections and intoxications (industrial hazards, alcohol abuse), neuroses.

Symptoms and course.

Patients are lethargic, apathetic, they are overcome by extreme weakness and fatigue in the morning, do not feel cheerful even after a long sleep; memory deteriorates, a person becomes distracted, his attention is unstable, efficiency decreases, the feeling of lack of air is constantly disturbing, potency and sexual desire in men and the menstrual cycle in women are disturbed.

Emotional instability prevails, irritability, hypersensitivity to bright light, loud speech. Habitual headache is often associated with fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, a heavy meal, a long stay in an upright position. It proceeds like a migraine with nausea and vomiting, is relieved by walking in the open air or exercise, rubbing the temporal regions with vinegar, applying ice or a cold towel on the head. There are dizziness, staggering when walking, fainting. Blood pressure is usually slightly or moderately reduced to 90/60-50 mmHg

Recognition is carried out on the basis of clinical signs and exclusion of diseases accompanied by secondary arterial hypotension (Addison’s disease, pituitary insufficiency, Simmonds’ disease, acute and chronic infections, tuberculosis, peptic ulcer, etc. ).

Treatment.

Proper mode of work and rest. The attending physician may prescribe sedatives and tranquilizers (mezaton, ephedrine), agents that stimulate the central nervous system (tincture of ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine, zamanihi, pantocrine, etc.). Perhaps physiotherapy (baths, massage), spa treatment, exercise therapy.

Something interesting

Does a person’s character have any influence on the development of arterial hypertension? Not directly, only indirectly. If a person is nervous, quick-tempered, this does not mean that he will necessarily be hypertensive, but with a hereditary predisposition, it is quite possible. It is important to develop the right psychological attitudes in yourself, not to be constantly nervous about or without.

Those who know how to rejoice, find a source of positive emotions, whether it be a hobby, communication with a pleasant companion or “our smaller brothers”, are certainly less prone to stress, and hence to blood pressure drops.