Possible Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Possible Causes of Low Blood Pressure
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Normal blood pressure is within the range of 90/60 millimeters of mercury and 130/80 millimeters of mercury. A significant drop, even just by 20 mm Hg, can cause symptoms and other issues for some patients. The three main types of low blood pressure, or hypotension, include orthostatic hypotension, severe hypotension associated with shock, and neurally mediated hypotension. There are several different causes of low blood pressure, and when it occurs, it should be evaluated.

Medications and Drugs

Hypotension is a possible side effects of several different medications and drugs. These include:

  • Alcohol
  • Certain antidepressants
  • Heart medications
  • Pain killers
  • Anti-anxiety medications
  • Diuretics
  • Surgery medications

Dehydration

Low blood pressure can occur with dehydration. When the body loses more water than it has consumed, dehydration occurs. Excessive sweating, diarrhea or vomiting, and excessive urine output are just a few things that can result in dehydration. Symptoms can include dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. In more severe cases, coma, lethargy, sunken eyes, little to no urination, and dry mouth can occur. Sufficiently replacing lost fluids and electrolytes is the most common treatment.

Blood Loss

When the body loses a lot of blood, blood pressure can drop severely. Internal bleeding and a major injury can result in significant blood loss. Stopping the bleeding and then replacing the lost blood, most often through a blood transfusion, is how blood loss is most often treated.

Septicemia

Septicemia is a severe infection of the bloodstream, and one of the causes of low blood pressure. When a pre-existing infection enters the bloodstream, septicemia can occur. Septic shock, a life-threatening drop in blood pressure, can result from this infection. In addition to low blood pressure, the other possible symptoms include:

  • Pale, cool extremeties
  • Lightheadedness
  • Little to no urine
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills, very low or high temperature
  • Palpitations
  • Restlessness
  • Lethargy
  • Skin discoloration or rash
  • Agitation
  • Confusion

Septic shock is always a medical emergency and requires the patient to almost always go to intensive care. Treatment often includes a breathing machine, intravenous fluids, surgery, oxygen, and medications to treat infection, low blood pressure, or blood clotting.

Other Possible Causes

Low blood pressure can be caused by a number of other medical conditions and issues as well. These all vary in seriousness and intensity, but all warrant some form of medical intervention. These include:

  • Advanced diabetes
  • Arrhythmias
  • Fainting
  • Heart failure
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Heart attack
  • Shock
  • Lack of nutrients in diet
  • Endocrine problems
  • Heart problems
  • Pregnancy

Regardless of the cause, when a patient is experiencing hypotension, they can have the following symptoms:

  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Lack of concentration
  • Nausea
  • Shallow, rapid breathing
  • Depression
  • Fainting
  • Blurred vision
  • Clammy, cold, pale skin
  • Fatigue
  • Thirst

Resources

MayoClinic.com (2009). Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Retrieved on August 21, 2010 from MayoClinic.com: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-blood-pressure/DS00590

MedlinePlus. (2009). Hypotension. Retrieved on August 21, 2010 from MedlinePlus: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007278.htm