Causes Of Low Blood Pressure
Throughout the day, your blood pressure can vary by between 30-40 mmHg depending on what you are doing. Having a stressful week at work, the temperature outside, and even what you had for lunch could affect your blood pressure reading.
Each time that you have your blood pressure measured, it is important that the test is carried out under similar conditions to ensure that the results are consistent. If you have a low blood pressure reading, your GP will first consider the everyday causes that might have affected it, before considering the possible underlying causes.
What Causes High Blood Pressure
The cause of high blood pressure, or hypertension, is often unknown. It develops over time and often happens as a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Occasionally, some people have hypertension caused by an underlying condition, such as kidney disease, adrenal gland tumors or thyroid disorders, says Dr. Wong. Other conditions like pregnancy, diabetes and obesity can also increase your risk.
Some people are susceptible to high blood pressure from certain medications, such as birth control pills, some decongestants and even some over-the-counter pain relievers, says Wong. Illicit drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines may also raise blood pressure.
High blood pressure is extremely common. A 2017 to 2018 survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics found 45.5% of U.S. adults have hypertensionOstchega Y, et al. Hypertension prevalence among adults aged 18 and over: United States, 2017-2018. National Center for Health Statistics. Accessed 7/16/2021. .
A New Number To Aim For
While 140/90 continues to be the blood pressure cutoff, a study published in the Nov. 26, 2015 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine shows that lowering pressure to around 120/80 may reap greater benefits.
Researchers examined the initial results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, or SPRINT, which studied 9,361 adults over age 50 who either had hypertension or were at a high risk for cardiovascular disease.
The subjects were divided into two groups. The first received an intensive treatment to lower blood pressure to less than 120/80. The other group followed a standard treatment to lower it to less than 140/90.
After three years, the researchers found that the group with the target of below 120/80 had a 25% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death compared with those with the standard target of less than 140/90. They also had 27% fewer deaths from any cause.
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When Is Blood Pressure Highest
Blood pressure rises and falls in a fairly predictable pattern. When you wake up in the morning, it surges. It then increases throughout the day. At night, during sleep, it tends to drop again.
However, this isnât always the case for people with high blood pressure. In fact, there are four distinct patterns of nighttime blood pressure shifts. They are:
- A normal drop in blood pressure of 10% to 20%
- Extreme dipping, which is a drop of more than 20%
- Nondipping, which is a drop of less than 10%
- Reverse dipping, in which blood pressure is higher during sleep than during waking hours
All three types of abnormal dips in blood pressure are associated with various health risks. They can affect the arteries and heart, kidneys, blood sugar levels, and more.
The only way to know how your blood pressure changes is to measure it regularly at different times across the day and night. One way to do this is with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring .
This technique involves wearing a blood pressure cuff like the one your healthcare provider uses in their office. You use it for a specified period of time, usually 24 or 48 hours. The cuff is linked to a small monitor that can be attached to a belt or an item of clothing. The device automatically takes your blood pressure every 15 or 30 minutes.
ABPM measures blood pressure during sleep as well as during waking hours. For this reason, it can be a useful way to find out what kind of dip, if any, someone tends to have at night.
Take The Mindful Way To Lower Blood Pressure
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TUESDAY, Nov. 8, 2022 — Mindfulness is a centuries-old practice that’s become trendy in recent years — and a new study now says it can help your heart health.
Training in mindfulness can help people better manage their high blood pressure by helping them stick to healthy lifestyle changes, a new clinical trial reports.
An eight-week customized mindfulness program helped people lower their systolic blood pressure by nearly 6 points during a six-month follow-up period, researchers found.
That was significantly better than the 1.4-point reduction that occurred in people undergoing usual blood pressure care, researchers said during a presentation Sunday at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting, in Chicago. Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The results could be relevant to a patient’s health, given that previous studies have found that a 5-point drop in systolic pressure translates to a 10% lower risk of heart attack and stroke, said lead researcher Eric Loucks, director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University.
“If we can train people in mindfulness skills and then apply those skills to people’s relationships with the things that we know influence blood pressure — like physical activity or diet or antihypertensive medication adherence or alcohol consumption — we might be able to boost the effects” of their prescribed blood pressure control plan, Loucks said.
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Diagnosing High Or Low Blood Pressure
Only one of your numbers needs to be higher than it should be to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, and only one needs to be lower than it should be to be diagnosed with low blood pressure.
So if your top number is over 140 or the bottom number is over 90, you may be diagnosed with , regardless of the other number. If your top number is under 90 or your bottom number is under 60, you may be diagnosed with . Use the to see where your numbers sit.
If your top number is consistently higher than 140mmHg, but the bottom number is healthy – this is known as Isolated Systolic Hypertension. If the bottom number is consistently higher than 90mmHg but the top number is healthy – this is known as Isolated Diastolic Hypertension.
Making sure your readings arent a one-off
A single high reading doesnt necessarily mean you have high blood pressure, as many things can affect your blood pressure throughout the day, such as the temperature, when you last ate, and if youre feeling stressed.
Your doctor or nurse will probably want to measure your blood pressure a number of times over a few weeks to make sure the reading wasnt just a one off and that your blood pressure stays high over time.
Read about how , getting a , the you might have if you have a high blood pressure reading, and .
How Do I Know If I Have Morning Hypertension
Having a home blood pressure monitor at hand can be useful in determining whether you have morning hypertension. These devices are easily available at your neighbourhood pharmacy, and are reasonably priced. There are several types of monitors available, so talk to your pharmacist about the type of model that would suit you best.
It is best to check your BP, using the same arm each time, at the following times:
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
If you have signs of low blood pressure make an appointment with your healthcare provider to find out what is causing it. Low blood pressure can be dangerous. You should seek emergency medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Black or maroon stool
Treatment And Management Of Low Blood Pressure
Determining the cause of low blood pressure is the first step in managing it. For example, if the cause is dehydration from excess fluid losses, getting better control of your blood sugar and staying well-hydrated can help.
For people who get low blood pressure after a meal or after sitting or standing , the following may help:
- Avoiding large meals and eating more frequent smaller meals
- Drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding beverages with a high sugar content
- Avoiding standing for long periods
- Avoiding alcohol
- Standing up slowly
- Using compression stockings or socks
If you feel faint or experience dizziness, it’s always safest to sit or lie down. This will help to avoid injury in the event of falls or fainting. In autonomic neuropathy, other treatments might be required, such as medications that can help raise blood pressure .
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What Does High Blood Pressure Feel Like
High blood pressure often doesn’t have any symptoms, so you usually don’t feel it. Thats why its important to stay up to date on your preventive care screenings can help identify potential problems like elevated blood pressure when its easiest to treat.
If your blood pressure reaches extremely high levels, you may get a headache, shortness of breath or a nosebleed. However, these symptoms may not be specific to your blood pressure. Critically high blood pressure can be caused by conditions that can have similar symptoms, like strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure or certain drug interactions.
What Is Low Blood Pressure
While hypertension can be problematic for your overall health, blood pressure thats too low can also be cause for concern. With that said, the American Heart Association doesnt recognize a specific day-to-day blood pressure reading as too low. Instead, its a matter of what symptoms you may be experiencing due to low blood pressure, how these symptoms affect you and how long they persist.
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Eat Some Dark Chocolate
Yes, chocolate lovers: Dark chocolate has been shown to lower blood pressure.
But the dark chocolate should be 60 to 70 percent cacao. A review of studies on dark chocolate has found that eating one to two squares of dark chocolate per day may help lower the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and inflammation.
The benefits are thought to come from the flavonoids present in chocolate with more cocoa solids. The flavonoids help dilate, or widen, your blood vessels .
What Are The Different Ways To Get A Blood Pressure Reading
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You can monitor your blood pressure at home or get it checked at your doctor’s office. Each way has its benefits and drawbacks. The best approach for you would be to combine both methods to get a complete understanding of your blood pressure.
Get BP checked by a medical professional
It is common for a doctor to check your blood pressure during a medical appointment. If you have serious BP-related issues, your doctor may ask you to schedule your appointments during different times of the day. This will help your doctor determine your average BP range and get an accurate picture of your blood pressure.
However, since it’s not possible to visit a medical office every day, most people don’t find it a convenient way of regularly monitoring their blood pressure. Therefore, blood pressure checks at a medical office are only recommended for serious BP-related cases or when the regular involvement of a doctor is required.
Check BP at home
Most people prefer to check BP at home using a blood pressure monitor. It is comparatively simpler, cheaper, and at times, produces even better results than getting tested by a medical professional. This is because home blood pressure checks can help you avoid the white coat effect the condition where BP readings remain normal at home but rise at the doctor’s office due to anxiety felt by patients.
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Tips For Achieving A Healthy Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can increase your risk of serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lower your blood pressure, including:
- Follow a heart-healthy diet that is high in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Avoid added sugars, saturated fats, and high-sodium foods.
- Get plenty of exercise.
Checking Blood Pressure At Home
Keeping track of blood pressure at home is important for many people, especially if you have high blood pressure. This helps you and your doctor find out if your treatment is working.
Your doctor may also suggest that you check your pressure at home if they think you may have white coat hypertension. Its a real condition. The stress of being in a doctors office raises your blood pressure, but when youre home, its normal.
Ask your doctor to recommend an easy-to-use home blood pressure monitor. Make sure the cuff fits properly. If your arm is too big for the cuff, the reading may be higher than your blood pressure really is. Ask your doctor for a larger cuff or make sure you buy a home monitor with a cuff that fits you.
You also can use a wrist blood pressure monitor, but they often arent as accurate. Follow the directions that come with the device to make sure you are using it correctly.
No matter which type of blood pressure monitor you have, its a good idea to take it to your doctors office. You can compare its reading to the numbers your doctor gets. Avoid caffeine, cigarettes, and exercise for at least 30 minutes before the test.
When you take your blood pressure at home, sit up straight in a chair and put both feet on the floor. Ask your doctor or nurse to show you the right way to position your arm so you get accurate readings.
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Medications For High Blood Pressure
There are a variety of medications that can help manage high blood pressure. Again, medication is typically recommended when lifestyle changes dont produce results, and in more serious blood pressure cases like stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension. Medications for high blood pressure include:
- Alpha, beta and alpha-beta blockersStop epinephrine and similar hormones from affecting the cardiovascular system, allowing the muscles of the heart and arteries to stay relaxed.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorsStop the body from producing angiotensin, a hormone that narrows blood vessels.
- Angiotensin receptor blockers Stop angiotensin from affecting blood vessels.
- Calcium channel blockersHelp keep arteries relaxed by preventing calcium from entering heart and artery cells.
- Central agonistsHelp control heart rate and blood flow by blocking signals between the brain and the nervous system.
- DiureticsReduce excess sodium and water in the body.
- Renin inhibitorsSlow the bodys production of the enzyme renin, which can play a role in high blood pressure.
- VasodilatorsPrevent artery and vein muscles from narrowing.
Blood Pressure Cuff Placement
Most blood pressure reading errors are the result of improper sizing of the blood pressure cuff or placing the cuff over clothing. Improper placement of the cuff over clothing can cause your blood pressure measurement to increase by 10 to 50 points. If the cuff is too small, it can add 2 to 10 points to your bp measurement. Be sure to roll up your sleeve for a blood pressure test and also let your doctor know if the cuff feels too tight around your arm.
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Measuring Ambulatory Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can also be diagnosed through a special device called an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. A doctor, nurse or pharmacist will get you to wear the device for a full day. The device measures blood pressure every 20 to 30 minutes and gives the doctor an average of your blood pressures during the day and while you are sleeping. These devices are not available everywhere and can be uncomfortable to wear.
Living With Low Blood Pressure
Medicines and lifestyle changes can help you live safely with chronic low blood pressure. Your doctor can recommend steps you can take to manage your low blood pressure. These actions can help control the condition:
Drink more water. This can help avoid dehydration.
Medicines and lifestyle changes can help you live safely with chronic low blood pressure.
Avoid alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are dehydrating, and alcohol changes how medicines work in your body.
Slow down. Take your time when standing up. If lying down, sit up first. Then wiggle your feet and move your legs. This will increase circulation and get your heart rate up so that you dont feel lightheaded when you stand up.
If your medicine and lifestyle changes do not reduce your low blood pressure symptoms, talk with your doctor about other changes you can make.
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What Is High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a cardiovascular condition where the heart and the blood vessels exert more force to function efficiently. This condition must be corrected and reversed. Else it may lead to permanent damage to the heart. Lowering blood pressure can be done with several high blood pressure medications. The healthcare provider may combine two kinds of high blood pressure medications for a more direct and immediate change. Living a healthy and active lifestyle may be an added advantage in decreasing high blood pressure.
Signs And Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure
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High blood pressure may not have any symptoms and so hypertension has been labeled the silent killer. Longstanding high blood pressure can lead to multiple complications including heart attack, kidney disease, or stroke.
Some people experience symptoms with their high blood pressure. These symptoms include:
- The Feeling of pulsations in the neck or head
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