Some of the side effects of low blood pressure are stated in this article which will help you recognize them and get treated for this problem in the initial stage itself. Just read on.
The pressure with which the blood flows throughout the body is referred to as blood pressure. Normal blood pressure in an average, healthy adult is approximately 120/80 mmHg. But it can fluctuate many times in a day. The lowest blood pressure can be measured when we are sleeping or in a relaxed state, but if the blood pressure goes below 90/60 mmHg then this condition can be considered as low blood pressure, which is also known as hypotension. There are several side effects of hypotension or low blood pressure. If not taken care of on time, it may result in unwanted and dangerous consequences.
Some of the factors that trigger low blood pressure are dehydration, severe bleeding due to an injury, inflammation of any organ, heart diseases, blocked arteries, low pulse rate, pregnancy, hypertension medication and certain health conditions, etc. It may also be caused due to the drug toxicity or side effects of some medication. Age can also be a factor responsible for a drop in normal blood pressure. Habits like smoking, alcoholism and narcotic drugs can cause the blood pressure to dip. It is very important to keep an eye on these causes so as to understand the risk factors associated with this health disorder. Depending on the causative factors and condition of an individual’s health, the side effects can be mild or debilitating.
Side Effects of Hypotension
If blood pressure is low, the organs will not be able to get sufficient oxygen. This may result in many complications and life-threatening consequences. Hence it becomes very important to understand the side effects of low blood pressure. Following are some of them.
Nausea
This is one of the most common signs of low pressure. Since enough pressure is not released during blood circulation, there is a deficiency of blood and oxygen in the brain. This usually results in nausea, sometimes followed by vomiting. It can be caused due to the gastrointestinal distress.
Dizziness
Low blood pressure can result in dizziness and lightheadedness. Sudden change in the posture like immediately getting up from the bed after sleeping can also cause dizziness. It is mostly seen in people above the age of 60. It can also be a result of severe dehydration.
Fainting Spells
Low blood pressure is considered as the most common cause for fainting. Insufficient amount of blood flow and scarcity of oxygen in the brain causes fainting. Due to this the people are at a greater risk of getting injured, as they can faint whenever blood pressure drops drastically.
Effects on the Heart
As the blood flow becomes slow and there is not enough pressure for the heart to pump it to different parts of the body, it may result in many cardiovascular diseases. It can even lead to stroke and heart attack.
Effects on the Brain
Due to reduced blood pressure the brain is unable to receive proper blood and oxygen. This may affect the nervous system and may result in confusion, mental illness, strokes, nerve damage etc. It may also affect the functioning of other parts of the body as every part of the body receives electric impulses from the brain to function.
Effects on the Kidney
The main function of the kidneys is to eliminate the toxins from our body. But low blood pressure can hinder its work and may result in toxin build up in the kidney. This may even damage the kidneys and increase toxicity in the blood.
Now that you are aware of the various side effects of low blood pressure you may need to go for a timely medical analysis to find out the cause behind it. If the cause behind it is diagnosed, then treatment for low blood pressure will be easy. As it may take a life-threatening turn, you should not ignore it at all. Take care!