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Know The Types & Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension or low blood pressure is of two types. Read on to know more about the types, symptoms and causes of hypotension.

By Lekhaka

In medical terms, hypotension is an unusually low blood pressure degree condition of the body. This is not a disease, but instead a physiological state. Blood pressure level is the force of blood gushing throughout the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood.

When the pressure is below 90/60 mm Hg, which is considered low, this condition is known as hypotension. Low blood pressure should not be ignored as it can give rise to a number of health problems.

Types of low blood pressure

Blood pressure level is continuously modulated by the autonomic nerve system, using an intricate network of receptors, nerves and hormones to balance the after effects of the sympathetic nerve system, which tends to lift blood pressure, and the parasympathetic nerve system, which lowers the blood pressure.

The vast and rapid settlement abilities of the autonomic nerve system permits normal people to have a suitable blood pressure level.

There are two types of hypotension: orthostatic hypotension and postprandial hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension is common. It happens when the body changes its position, following a while, like standing up from the sitting or lying position. If there is a drop of 20/10 mm Hg in blood pressure, this causes hypotension.

Types of low blood pressure

Another, but very rare kind is called postprandial hypotension, which happens thirty to sixty minutes after eating a full meal. Here a big quantity of blood is diverted to the intestines, hence stopping the supply of blood to other essential organs of the body, like the brain. This causes hypotension.

The signs of hypotension are light headedness or dizziness, fainting and seizures. Among others, low blood pressure or hypotension is connected with the following symptoms, which are not effects of hypotension, instead associated to reasons for low blood pressure. These are chest pain, trouble in breathing, high fever, rigid neck and foul-smelling urine.

The causes of low blood pressure are hormonal alterations, widening of the blood vessels, adverse effects of medicines, heart and endocrine issues and stress.

Story first published: Thursday, November 17, 2016, 17:22 [IST]
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