2023-09-21 11:44:51
Blood pressure or tension corresponds to the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. If we talk about high blood pressure when the pressure is too high… hypotension is characterized by blood pressure that is too low.
What is hypotension?
Hypotension is the fact of having low blood pressure temporarily or permanently. In general, this is nothing to worry about. On the contrary, we even tend to consider that low blood pressure is a sign of good health. It is not uncommon for some people to have low blood pressure without any cause for concern: this is particularly the case for athletes and sportspeople whose resting blood pressure is generally lower. than normal. However too low a pressure can be dangerous for your health. Indeed, the pressure must be maintained at a constant level to ensure the proper functioning of the organization. And too low blood pressure reflects the body’s difficulty ejecting blood correctly into the body’s blood vessels and tissues. Result ? Poor oxygenation of the body and, in particular, the brain… which can cause dizziness and fainting.
If the normal value of blood pressure is 120/801, a systolic pressure below 90 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 60 mmHg – or blood pressure below 90/60 – is considered abnormally low. When the systolic blood pressure value is less than 50 mm Hg, we speak ofsevere hypotension and this is considered to be dangerous for health.
There are several forms of hypotension, the most common being:
- l’hyorthostatic or postural tension
When you get up quickly, under the sudden effect of gravity, the flow of blood to the brain is temporarily reduced… causing dizziness, visual disturbances, etc. It affects 5% to 10% of the population and 15% of people over 65. The causes of this type of hypotension are multiple (dehydration, alcohol, marijuana, diabetes, nervous system disease, adrenal gland insufficiency, etc.). If this is common, it is necessary to consult a doctor to determine if a neurological or cardiac problem is not to blame. In most cases of hypotension in the elderly, a medication is to blame…
- l’hypotension postprandiale
When a significant drop in blood pressure is observed within 2 hours of the start of the meal… causing dizziness, nausea, fainting and even a fall! This is because during digestion blood flows to the stomach and intestines, which can cause a slight drop in blood pressure. It mainly concerns elderly and weakened people who are more prone to this type of hypotension. This type of hypotension mainly affects older people who also suffer from high blood pressure.2.
- l’intracranial hypotension
Inside the skull, the brain is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a protective fluid which will prevent the brain from hitting the skull during head movements. We speak of intracranial hypotension when the pressure in the cranium is low. This abnormally low pressure is caused by a CSF leak. Symptoms of intracranial hypotension? Headaches when sitting/standing which ease when sitting, pain radiating towards the neck and shoulders, nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to sounds, to light, etc.
In certain cases, we may observe a sudden drop in blood pressure linked to significant hemorrhage (blood loss), anaphylactic shock or a generalized infection… which requires emergency medical attention.
What causes low blood pressure?
As explained above, the causes of hypotension are multiple and depend on the type of hypotension in question. The causes can be serious such as a neurological or cardiac problem or less serious (hypotension can be a side effect of a medication, linked to dehydration, etc.)… hence the importance of determining theorigin of hypotension.
What are the symptoms of hypotension?
Generally, the symptoms of hypotension appear after getting up quickly, the most common are:
- dizziness,
- feeling of weakness,
- fainting.
Obviously certain symptoms can alert you but, as with hypertension, the diagnostic de l’hypotension is carried out by taking blood pressure at rest (and generally in the lying position). Several medical examinations then make it possible to determine the origin of the hypotension (blood tests, cardiac assessment with stress test, ultrasound of the heart, electrocardiogram, etc.)
Hypotension: who is affected?
Since hypotension is not really a disease but rather a symptom, it can occur in all types of people and at any age. However, there is a prevalence among people aged 65 and over. Bedridden people and pregnant women are also more prone to it.
Among the good reflexes to adopt for prevent complications related to hypotension and, in particular, fainting:
- hydrate well by favoring waters rich in sodium (St Yorre (1708 mg/l), Vichy Célestins (1,172 mg/l)), or even salty vegetable broths,
- immediately sit down and raise your legs which will improve blood flow to the main organs, such as the brain and heart,
- wearing compression stockings also helps to facilitate blood circulation and regulate blood pressure,
- The fact of eat a little saltier can help raise blood pressure… but there is then a risk of falling into the opposite excess and suffering from hypertension.
It is the determination of the causes that will make it possible to treat hypotension.
- If hypotension is associated with taking a medication, discontinuation or reduction of treatment under medical supervision is advised.
- If it is orthostatic hypotension different treatments can be prescribed (acting on the nervous system, blood volume, emptying of the stomach
Whatever the treatment prescribed for raise blood pressuremedical monitoring is necessary to check that blood pressure does not increase abnormally.
1. French Federation of Cardiology
2. Postprandial hypotension: a little-known entity. D. Samaras G. Carmona U. Vischer J.-J. Perrenoud. Swiss Medical Review No. 85.
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