Orthostatic hypotension refers to a health condition, where the blood pressure of a person falls drastically once you stand up quickly. Hypotension refers to the condition of low blood pressure. If you are a patient of orthostatic hypotension, you may feel faint or dizzy as you stand.(1)
Who Is At Risk for Orthostatic Hypotension?
Following people remain at a high risk to suffer from orthostatic hypotension problem-
Age Of A Person: The problem of orthostatic hypotension is common about people of 65 years or even hold. Special cells i.e. baroreceptors present near your neck arteries and heart, which regulate the blood pressure may become slow as a person ages. An aging heart may feel difficulty to beat at a faster rate and often compensate in the case the blood pressure drops.
Certain Diseases Or Health Conditions: A few of the heart conditions, like heart attack, heart valve problems, and heart failure combined with Parkinson’s disease and related nervous system disorders may cause nerve damage or neuropathy. Moreover, an individual may suffer from neuropathy if he or she suffers from diabetes, as it increases the risk to suffer from the problem of low blood pressure.
Certain Medications: Here, medications include those, which are used in the treatment of heart problems and high blood pressure. These include alpha-blockers, diuretics, beta-blockers, nitrates, ACE i.e. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and similar others.
Besides, you will find medications used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease may increase your risk to suffer from orthostatic hypotension. Other than this, you may suffer from orthostatic hypotension from a few of the specific antidepressants, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and medications for narcotics and the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Along with this, the usage of medications required for the treatment of high blood pressure combined with other OTC or prescribed medicines sometimes causes low blood pressure.
Exposure To Heat: Hot environment may result in heavy sweating and the problem of dehydration, both of which will reduce your blood pressure levels and activate orthostatic hypotension.
Alcohol Intake: Alcohol intake may increase your risk related to orthostatic hypotension.
Bed Rest: You may often become weak because of staying in your bed for a long time due to your illness. In this situation, you may suffer from orthostatic hypotension while you try standing up.
Pregnancy: The circulatory system of some women expands rapidly during their pregnancy. In this situation, blood pressure reduces significantly. However, this type of condition is normal and your blood pressure will often return to the pre-pregnancy level once you give birth.(2)
Is There A Blood Test For Orthostatic Hypotension?
In some cases, doctors recommend a blood test to get information about the overall health of a patient. Especially blood test is recommendable if a person suffers from anemia i.e. low levels of red blood cells and low blood sugar, as both of these problems cause orthostatic hypotension i.e. low blood pressure.
Common Symptoms Of Orthostatic Hypotension
Feeling of lightheadedness or dizzy at the time you stand up. In some of the cases, people suffering from orthostatic hypotension often faint. Other symptoms related to orthostatic hypotension include the following-
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or disorientation
- Feeling of weakness
- Falling
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Chest pain
However, these types of symptoms often clear up while you lie down or sit for a few minutes.(2)
Conclusion
To conclude, we should say that the problem of orthostatic hypotension involves many factors, which increase the risk related to the occurrence of the problem. Moreover, depending on the condition of a patient i.e. if a patient suffers from low blood sugar or anemia problem, doctors may even recommend him or her to undergo blood tests combined with blood pressure measurement.
Also Read:
- Is Orthostatic Hypotension A Serious Condition & Can It Be Reversed?
- What is Postural Hypotension & How is it Treated?
- What Is Hypotension?|Conditions That Can Result In Hypotension
- What Neurological Disorders Cause Low Blood Pressure?
- Can You Get Lightheaded From High Blood Pressure?
- Best Exercises Or Activities For Orthostatic Hypotension
- Home Remedies For Orthostatic Hypotension & Is It A Disability?
- How Do You Check For Orthostatic Hypotension & What Is The Best Medicine For It?
