Hypotension: Difference between revisions
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In [[physiology]] and [[medicine]], '''hypotension''' refers to an abnormally low [[blood pressure]]. It is often associated with [[shock]], though not necessarily indicative of it. Hypotension is not to be confused with [[hypertension]]. |
In [[physiology]] and [[medicine]], '''hypotension''' refers to an abnormally low [[blood pressure]]. It is often associated with [[shock]], though not necessarily indicative of it. Hypotension is not to be confused with [[hypertension]]. Hypotension is the opposite of [[Hypertension]]. |
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== Causes == |
== Causes == |
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[[Orthostatic hypotension]] is a common cause of low [[blood pressure]] |
[[Orthostatic hypotension]] or [[Postural hypotension]] is a common cause of low [[blood pressure]] is caused by a change in body position, when a person moves to a more vertical position, for example of this is when someone moves from sitting to standing or from lying down to sitting/standing. [[Tilt-table]] testing can confirm this. |
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Reduced blood volume, called [[ |
Reduced blood volume, called [[hypovolemia]] is the most common cause of hypotension. hypovolemia is often induced by excessive use of [[diuretic|diuretics]]; relative hypovolemia is caused by vasodilator therapy with [[nitrate preparations]] and [[Ca blockers]] or with [[ACE inhibitors]]. |
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It has been recorded as a side-effect of certain forms of [[anesthesia]], such as [[curare]], in which event it is often treated by the [[anesthesiologist]]. |
It has been recorded as a side-effect of certain forms of [[anesthesia]], such as [[curare]], in which event it is often treated by the [[anesthesiologist]]. |
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* {{MedlinePlus|003083|Blood pressure - low}} |
* {{MedlinePlus|003083|Blood pressure - low}} |
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* [http://my.webmd.com/content/article/54/61510.htm hypotension WebMD] |
* [http://my.webmd.com/content/article/54/61510.htm hypotension WebMD] |
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* [http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3864.htm hypotension Medterms] |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 21:03, 16 February 2006
| Hypotension | |
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| Specialty | Cardiology, intensive care medicine, family medicine, internal medicine  |
In physiology and medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. It is often associated with shock, though not necessarily indicative of it. Hypotension is not to be confused with hypertension. Hypotension is the opposite of Hypertension.
Causes
Orthostatic hypotension or Postural hypotension is a common cause of low blood pressure is caused by a change in body position, when a person moves to a more vertical position, for example of this is when someone moves from sitting to standing or from lying down to sitting/standing. Tilt-table testing can confirm this.
Reduced blood volume, called hypovolemia is the most common cause of hypotension. hypovolemia is often induced by excessive use of diuretics; relative hypovolemia is caused by vasodilator therapy with nitrate preparations and Ca blockers or with ACE inhibitors.
It has been recorded as a side-effect of certain forms of anesthesia, such as curare, in which event it is often treated by the anesthesiologist.
Another -- albeit rare -- form, is "post prandial hypotension," which occurs 30-75 minutes after eating. It is not well understood.
Indicators
For most individuals, a healthy blood pressure lies between 90/60 mmHg to 130/80 mmHg. A small drop in blood pressure, even as little as 20 mmHg, can result in transient hypotension.
Symptoms
Low blood pressure is often accompanied by:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fever higher than 101 °F (38.3 °C)
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Severe upper back pain
- Cough with phlegm
- Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting
- Inability to eat or drink
- Burning with urination
- Foul-smelling urine
- Adverse effect of medications
- Acute, life-threatening allergic reaction
- Dizziness, or light-headedness
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
References
See also
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