The cause of low blood pressure can occur for many reasons, from pregnancy to drug use. Low blood pressure can cause several serious conditions, including loss of consciousness. Therefore, it is important to know the causes of low blood pressure so that it can be prevented and does not cause complications.
Normal blood pressure or blood pressure usually ranges from 90/60 mmHg–120/80 mmHg. If the blood pressure is less than 90/60 mmHg, this condition is said to be low blood pressure ( hytension ).
When blood pressure is low, the brain will lack blood supply. This situation can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Therefore, it is important to know the cause of low blood pressure so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken.
Causes of Low Pressure
Heart defects are the most common cause of low blood pressure. However, there are several conditions that can also cause low blood pressure, such as pregnancy.
The following are some of the conditions that cause low blood pressure and their explanations:
1. Pregnancy
One of the common causes of low blood pressure is pregnancy. This condition normally occurs because the pregnant woman’s blood vessels will widen to meet the blood supply to the fetus so that the fetus’ nutritional and oxygen needs are met. This condition then causes a drop in blood pressure.
Low blood pressure in pregnant women usually occurs in the first 6 months of pregnancy and will improve when the gestational age enters the 7th month.
2. Dehydration
When the body is dehydrated , the amount of blood is also reduced and will cause blood pressure to drop. Therefore, it is important to meet the body’s need for fluids so that blood can reach all the tissues and organs of your body.
3. Lack of vitamin B12, folate, and iron
Apart from lack of body fluids, lack of nutritional intake is also a cause of low blood pressure. To increase blood pressure, you can eat foods that contain vitamin B12, folic acid and iron.
These nutrients can increase the production of red blood cells, thereby preventing you from anemia or anemia which causes low blood pressure.
4. Weather changes and extreme temperatures
Being in weather that is too hot or too cold can cause low blood pressure. In weather that is too cold (hypothermia) , the heart rate will decrease, and even fail to function, resulting in a drop in blood pressure.
Meanwhile, extreme hot weather will make you sweat and can reduce the amount of fluid in the body. This causes dehydration and decreased blood pressure.
5. Heavy bleeding
Another condition that causes low blood pressure is bleeding. Heavy or severe bleeding occurs due to injury or bleeding to the organs.
If you have bleeding, the volume of blood in the veins will decrease. This will cause a decrease in blood pressure. If left unchecked, this condition will cause life-threatening hemorrhagic shock.
6. Sepsis
When the body has an infection, the immune system produces proteins and other chemicals to fight the organisms that cause the infection. Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system fights germs excessively and causes damage to various organs of the body.
Sepsis that is not treated will cause septic shock which is an emergency condition because it can lower blood pressure to very low. If left untreated, septic shock will result in the body’s organs not functioning properly causing tissue damage.
7. Anaphylactic reaction
Not only infection, severe reactions to allergies can also be a cause of low blood pressure. This condition is called an anaphylactic reaction and can be life-threatening.
In addition to causing blood pressure to drop, an anaphylactic reaction will also cause the heart to beat too fast or too slow to disrupt blood flow throughout the body. Anaphylaxis will also result in narrowing of the respiratory tract which can be life threatening.
8. Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is also the next cause of low blood pressure. This disease is a disorder of the central nervous system and can increase the risk of low blood pressure.
This happens because nerve cells are damaged, thus disrupting the production of hormones that control blood pressure (norepinephrine). Therefore, people with Parkinson’s disease are more prone to experiencing low blood pressure.
9. Diabetes
In addition to people with Parkinson’s disease, diabetics also more often experience a decrease in blood pressure. This occurs due to dehydration, damage to the nervous system that regulates blood pressure, to side effects from diabetes treatment.
Diabetics will also urinate more frequently. This condition causes dehydration and causes low blood pressure due to decreased fluid volume in the body.
10. Heart defects
Some disorders of the heart can cause low blood pressure. Slow heart rate ( bradycardia ), heart attack , or heart failure will cause the heart to not be able to circulate enough blood throughout the body.
11. Consumption of drugs
Another cause of low blood pressure is the consumption of drugs. Some medications for heart disease, hypertension , depression medications , and medications for Parkinson’s disease dilate blood vessels. This will result in a decrease in blood pressure.
How to Keep Blood Pressure Normal
Low blood pressure can interfere with activities because sufferers will feel dizzy, blurred vision, fainting, and even shock. To prevent these various conditions from occurring, here are some ways to keep blood pressure normal:
- Consume foods that contain lots of vitamin B12 , such as eggs, meat, dairy products, and cereals.
- Eat foods rich in folate , such as dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, meat, poultry and seafood .
- Avoid eating large portions if you have Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages because alcohol can lower blood pressure.
- Consumption of salty foods to increase blood pressure.
- Exercise regularly to keep blood circulation smooth.
- Routinely check blood sugar to avoid complications of diabetes which result in low blood pressure.
Watch for a drastic and sudden drop in blood pressure. This condition can cause vital organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs, to become deprived of blood supply, thus endangering lives.
