What are the Risk Factors of Low Blood Pressure?

Low Blood Pressure Explained: Risk Factors You Should Know

As per medical terms, low blood pressure is a reading below 90/60 mm/Hg. As multiple things can trigger low blood pressure, the underlying cause mainly determines the treatment. Certain conditions, such as pregnancy, dehydration, blood loss, severe infection, or even hormone-related diseases, can lead to low blood pressure or hypotension in humans.

Risk Factors of Low Blood Pressure

Anyone can develop low blood pressure. The typical risk factors are:

Age: Medical practitioners have noticed drops in blood pressure, particularly when standing up or after finishing a meal, among people aged above 65. However, younger adults and several children may suffer from neurally mediated hypotension.

Medications: Various medicines can lower blood pressure in humans. This category covers all medicines generally prescribed to treat high blood pressure in patients.

Alcohol or Illegal Drugs: Both of these can increase the risk of hypotension.

Understanding the Conditions That Can Lower Blood Pressure

Certain medical conditions have repeatedly been found to be responsible for causing low blood pressure. These include:

Pregnancy

Changes in the body during pregnancy can cause the blood vessels to dilate fast. These changes can lead to a sudden fall in blood pressure.

Moreover, low blood pressure is quite common during the initial 24 weeks of pregnancy. After childbirth, the woman gradually regains her normal blood pressure through healthy lifestyle practices.

Heart Valve Conditions

An instance of heart attack, heart failure, or heart valve illness may cause low blood pressure. In addition, a slow heart rate (bradycardia) may also lead to relatively lower blood pressure than normal.

Hormone-linked Diseases or Endocrine Conditions

Illnesses such as Addison's disease that are known for impacting specific glands which produce essential hormones may force the blood pressure to fall. Sometimes, low blood pressure can happen due to low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).

Lack of Nutrition

If someone's diet is lacking enough vitamin B-12, iron and folate, their body will not be able to produce adequate red blood cells. It will cause anaemia, which in turn will lead to low blood pressure.

Severe Infection

When a bacterial or viral infection reaches the bloodstream, it may result in a fatal drop of blood pressure, often referred to as a septic shock. Also, the blood pressure can be lowered from septic shock through systemic inflammatory response, a form of infection that can occur when germs enter a person's blood.

Dehydration

The amount of blood in a person's body reduces when they do not have adequate water. It can cause one's blood pressure to drop. Some events that can lead to dehydration are strenuous exercise, fever, vomiting, overuse of diuretic medicines and diarrhoea.

If you experience symptoms associated with low blood pressure, like lightheaded or dizziness, you must seek medical attention. Also, you should keep track of your past health records and never skip medication as prescribed by your doctor.