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Hypotension, also known as low blood pressure, is a cardiovascular condition characterized by abnormally reduced blood pressure. [1] Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood [2] and is indicated by two numbers, the systolic blood pressure (the top number) and the diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number), which are the ...
Severe drops in blood pressure can lead to fainting, with a possibility of injury. Moderate drops in blood pressure can cause confusion/inattention, delirium, and episodes of ataxia. Chronic orthostatic hypotension is associated with cerebral hypoperfusion that may accelerate the pathophysiology of dementia. [5]
An antihypotensive, also known as vasopressor, is an agent that raises blood pressure by constricting blood vessels, thereby increasing systemic vascular resistance. This is different from inotropes which increase the force of cardiac contraction. Some substances do both (e.g. dopamine, dobutamine).
Blood pressure is one of the vital signs—together with respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature—that healthcare professionals use in evaluating a patient's health. Normal resting blood pressure in an adult is approximately 120 millimetres of mercury (16 kPa) systolic over 80 millimetres of mercury (11 kPa ...
A pulse pressure is considered abnormally low if it is less than 25% of the systolic value. [2] If the pulse pressure is extremely low, i.e. 25 mmHg or less, it may indicate low stroke volume, as in congestive heart failure. [3] The most common cause of a low (narrow) pulse pressure is a drop in left ventricular stroke volume.
Carotid sinus syncope is due to pressure on the carotid sinus in the neck. [2] The underlying mechanism involves the nervous system slowing the heart rate and dilating blood vessels, resulting in low blood pressure and thus not enough blood flow to the brain. [2] Diagnosis is based on the symptoms after ruling out other possible causes. [3]
For most people, recommendations are to reduce blood pressure to less than or equal to somewhere between 140/90 mmHg and 160/100 mmHg. [2] In general, for people with elevated blood pressure, attempting to achieve lower levels of blood pressure than the recommended 140/90 mmHg will create more harm than benefits, [3] in particular for older people. [4]
How these symptoms affect the patient depends on to which organs or body parts blood supply is inhibited. Typical symptoms of Flammer syndrome are cold hands or feet, low blood pressure, occasional white and red patches on the face or neck, and migraine-like pain or a feeling of pressure behind the upper eyelid.