The true cause of low blood pressure is not known; however, it can be connected to the following factors:
- Liver disease
- Heat stroke or heat exhaustion
- Dilation or widening of the blood vessels
- Irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Certain drugs for Parkinson’s disease, depression or high blood pressure
- Certain over-the-counter drugs
- Hormonal conditions like hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), diabetes or, hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid
- Pregnancy
Blood pressure that suddenly drops can be potentially fatal. This kind of hypotension can involve:
- Extreme allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis
- Bodily response to alcohol or medication
- Serious dehydration due to fever, diarrhea or vomiting
- Serious infection of the blood called sepsis
- Heart failure due to heart muscle disease
- High body temperature
- Low body temperature
- Loss of blood due to hemorrhage
One type of low blood pressure called postural hypotension results when you suddenly stand up. This condition can be experienced by potentially anyone due to a number of reasons including extreme fatigue, lack of food or dehydration. Postural hypotension can also arise due to acute triggers like allergy and infection, psychological and dietary factors, medication, aging and your genetic make-up.
This type of hypotension comes about quite frequently among individuals who utilize hypertensive drugs to regulate their blood pressure. It can also arise due to diabetes, atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, strong emotions or pregnancy. Seniors are especially affected particularly those who suffer from problems in their autonomic nervous system or high blood pressure.
Postprandial hypotension (after-meal hypotension) can result in dizziness. It usually occurs after a person consumes large meals entailing huge amounts of carbohydrates. This condition is believed to be the result of blood pooling into the vessels of the intestines and stomach.
One of the side effects of certain medications is postural hypotension. These drugs can be categorized into two. These are:
- Medicines that have hypotension as a side effect – These can include, tricyclic antidepressants, sedative-hypnotics, anti-anxiety drugs, neuroleptics, antipsychotics, meds for Parkinson’s disease and nitrates
- Medicines for addressing high blood pressure – These can include ACE or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, beta-blockers and diuretics
Postural hypotension can also be caused by natural factors. These can include:
- Problems in naturally regulating blood pressure due to aging that can be aggravated by medicines or certain health problems
- Conditions like too much blood loss due to menstruation, vomiting or diarrhea that leads to electrolyte loss and dehydration
Specific diseases can likewise result in postural hypotension. They include:
- Neural conditions – Autonomic or peripheral neuropathy
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Alcoholism
- Nutritional diseases
- Central nervous system dysfunctions – Multiple system atrophy or Shy-Drager syndrome
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