How do I know if I have low blood pressure?
Your doctor can diagnose you with low blood pressure. Symptoms of dizzinessand light-headedness when you stand up don't necessarily mean that you have postural hypotension, or low blood pressure. A wide range of underlying conditions may cause your symptoms. It is important to identify the cause of low blood pressure so appropriate treatment can be given.
Your doctor will look at your medical history, age, specific symptoms, and the conditions under which the symptoms occurred. He or she may perform repeated evaluation of your blood pressure and pulse rate -after you've been lying down for a few minutes and within two to five minutes after you stand quietly.
Other tests may be performed, such as an ECG (electrocardiogram) to measure heart rate and rhythm problems and an echocardiogram (an ultrasound test to visualise the heart). You may also have blood tests to look for anaemia or problems with your blood sugar levels.
More sophisticated home ECG monitoring (a Holter monitor or "event" monitor) may be necessary to check for heart problems that occur intermittently.
An exercise stress test or electrophysiology test (EP test) may also be helpful.
Serious forms of postural hypotension may require a test called a ‘tilt table’ test. This test evaluates the body's reaction to position and changes in position. The person lies on a table, is safely strapped in, and the table is raised to an upright position for up to an hour. Blood pressure, heart rate, and symptoms are recorded. Often, medications are given to help guide treatment.
What are the treatments for low blood pressure?
If you have an underlying medical problem that causes low blood pressure, seek treatment for the underlying condition. For many people, chronic low blood pressure can be effectively treated with diet and lifestyle changes.
Initially, your doctor may advise you to increase your blood pressure by making these simple changes:
Eat a diet higher in salt.
Decrease your intake of caffeine.
Drink lots of nonalcoholic fluids -- a minimum of eight glasses per day. Sports drinks that are high in sodium and potassium are recommended, especially during exercise or in hot weather.
Drink more fluids during hot weather and while sick with a viral illness, such as acold or the flu.
Have your doctor evaluate your prescription and over-the-counter medications to identify any that may be causing your symptoms.
Get regular exercise to promote blood flow.
Be careful when rising from a lying down or sitting position. To improve circulation, pump your feet and ankles a few times before standing up. Then proceed slowly. When getting out of bed, sit upright on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before standing.
Elevate the head of your bed at night by five to 20 degrees, by placing bricks or blocks under the head of bed.
What are the treatments for low blood pressure? continued...
Avoid heavy lifting.
Avoid straining while on the toilet.
Avoid prolonged exposure to hot water, such as hot showers and spas. If you get dizzy, sit down. It may be helpful to keep a chair or stool in the shower in case you need to sit; to help prevent injury, use a nonslip chair or stool designed for use in showers and bath tubs.
To avoid problems with low blood pressure and lessen episodes of dizziness after meals, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Rest after eating. Avoid taking low blood pressure drugs before meals.
If needed, use elastic support (compression) stockings or tights that cover the calf and thigh. These may help restrict blood flow to the legs, thus keeping more blood in the upper body.
Medications for low blood pressure
If these measures don't lessen the problem, you may need medication.
The following medications have been proven effective in treating low blood pressure.
Fludrocortisone. Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticosteroid that appears to be effective for most types of postural hypotension, or low blood pressure. It works by promoting sodium retention by the kidney, thereby causing fluid retention and some swelling, which is necessary to improve blood pressure. But this sodium retention also causes a loss of potassium. So when taking fludrocortisone, it's important to get adequate amounts of potassium each day. Fludrocortisone has none of the anti-inflammatory properties of cortisone or prednisone and is not a muscle-building agent.
Midodrine. Midodrine activates receptors on the arterioles (smallest arteries) and veins to produce an increase in blood pressure. Studies show that it's effective in improving standing blood pressure in people with postural hypotension related to nervous system dysfunction, such as those with Shy-Drager syndrome.
No comments:
Post a Comment