Hypotension
Hypotension means blood pressure is low enough to cause symptoms or inadequate organ perfusion. A naturally low reading without symptoms may be normal, while a sudden fall can reflect bleeding, infection, dehydration or a heart problem.
Key takeaways
- Symptoms and change from usual pressure matter more than one fixed threshold.
- A fall after standing can result from dehydration, medicines or autonomic dysfunction and should be measured correctly.
- Extra salt or a pressure-raising medicine is not safe for everyone, especially with heart or kidney disease.
A low-pressure medicine listing cannot identify the cause; postural readings, fluid status, current medicines and heart or neurological health guide care.
How is symptomatic hypotension assessed?
Blood pressure and pulse are checked lying and after standing. Review includes fluid loss, bleeding, infection, heart rhythm, endocrine problems and medicines. Recurrent fainting may need ECG or specialist testing.
What can treatment involve?
Adequate fluid, slow position changes and compression garments may help selected orthostatic cases. Midodrine raises vascular tone but can cause excessive pressure while lying down and requires monitoring. See heart and blood pressure for class context.
When to seek urgent care
Call emergency services for fainting with chest pain, breathlessness, confusion, cold clammy skin, heavy bleeding, severe allergic symptoms or a persistent very fast or slow heartbeat. Injury during collapse also needs assessment.