In this Article

• What is low blood pressure?
• How is blood pressure generated?
• How does the body maintain normal blood pressure?
• Is low blood pressure bad for your health?
• What are low blood pressure signs and symptoms?
• What are the causes of low blood pressure?
• How is low blood pressure diagnosed and evaluated?
• How is low blood pressure treated?
• Low Blood Pressure At A Glance
• Pictures of Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) - Slideshow
• Patient Discussions: Low Blood Pressure - Causes
• Low Blood Pressure Glossary
• Low Blood Pressure Index

How is low blood pressure treated?

Low blood pressure in healthy subjects without symptoms or organ damage needs no treatment. However, all patients with symptoms possibly due to low blood pressure should be evaluated by a doctor. (Patients who have had a major drop in blood pressure from their usual levels even without the development of symptoms also should be evaluated.) The doctor needs to identify the cause of the low blood pressure because treatment will depend on the cause. For example, if a medication is causing the low blood pressure, the dose of medication may have to be reduced or the medication stopped, though only after consulting the doctor. Self-adjustment of medication should not be done.

• Dehydration is treated with fluids and minerals (electrolytes). Mild dehydration without nausea and vomiting can be treated with oral fluids and electrolytes. Moderate to severe dehydration usually is treated in the hospital or emergency room with intravenous fluids and electrolytes.

• Blood loss can be treated with intravenous fluids and blood transfusions. Continuous and severe bleeding needs to be treated immediately.

• Septic shock is an emergency and is treated with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

• Blood pressure medications or diuretics are adjusted, changed, or stopped by the doctor if they are causing low blood pressure symptoms.

• Bradycardia may be due to a medication. The doctor may reduce, change or stop the medication. Bradycardia due to sick sinus syndrome or heart block is treated with an implantable pacemaker.

• Tachycardia is treated depending on the nature of the tachycardia. Atrial fibrillation can be treated with oral medications, electrical cardioversion, or a catheterization procedure called pulmonary vein isolation. Ventricular tachycardia can be controlled with medications or with an implantable defibrillator.

• Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis is treated with blood thinners, intravenous initially with heparin, and oral warfarin (Coumadin) later.

• Pericardial fluid can be removed by a procedure called pericardiocentesis.

• Postural hypotension can be treated by increasing water and salt intake*, increasing intake of caffeinated beverages because caffeine constricts blood vessels, using compression stockings to compress the leg veins and reduce the pooling of blood in the leg veins, and in some patients, the use of a medication called midodrine (ProAmatine). The problem with ProAmatine is that while it increases blood pressure in the upright position, the supine blood pressure may become too high, thus increasing the risk of strokes. Mayo Clinic researchers found that a medication used to treat muscle weakness in Myasthenia gravis called pyridostigmine (Mestinon) increases upright blood pressure but not supine blood pressure. Mestinon, an anticholinesterase medication, works on the autonomic nervous system, especially when a person is standing up. Side effects include minor abdominal cramping or increased frequency of bowel movements. *Note: Increasing salt intake can lead to heart failure in patients with existing heart disease and should not be undertaken without consulting a doctor.

• Postprandial hypotension refers to low blood pressure occurring after meals. Ibuprofen (Motrin) or indomethacin (Indocin) may be beneficial.

• Vasovagal Syncope can be treated with several types of drugs such as beta blockers [for example, propanolol (Inderal, Inderal LA)], selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [fluoxetine (Prozac), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), fluvoxamine (Luvox)], fludrocortisone (Florinef) (a drug that prevents dehydration by causing the kidney(s) to retaining water). A pacemaker can also be helpful when a patient fails drug therapy.

Low Blood Pressure At A Glance

• Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, is blood pressure that is low enough that the flow of blood to the organs of the body is inadequate and symptoms and/or signs of low blood flow develop.
  
  
• Low pressure alone, without symptoms or signs, usually is not unhealthy.
  
  
• The symptoms of low blood pressure include lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting. These symptoms are most prominent when individuals go from the lying or sitting position to the standing position (orthostatic hypotension).
  
  
• Low blood pressure that causes an inadequate flow of blood to the body's organs can cause strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure. It's most severe form is shock.
  
  
• Common causes of low blood pressure include a reduced volume of blood, heart disease, and medications.
  
  
• The cause of low blood pressure can be determined with blood tests, radiologic studies, and cardiac testing to look for arrhythmias.
  
  
• Treatment of low blood pressure is determined by the cause of the low pressure.

References: Medlineplus, "Vital Signs." WebMD, "Alpha Blocker Medications for Prostatitis." Hilz MJ, Marthol H, Neundorfer B. "Syncope - a systematic overview of classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management," Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. 2002 Feb;70(2):95-107. Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, "Postural Hypotension." American Family Physician, "Off-Label Applications for SSRIs."

Low Blood Pressure - Causes

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