Guide To Understanding Blood Pressure

Dangers Of Hypotension

Chronic hypotension can be dangerous in several ways. Symptoms that develop when blood pressure is too low can cause patients to lose consciousness because the brain tissues are not receiving enough blood to function properly. Hypotension produces symptoms such as dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, lightheadedness, lack of concentration, and syncope. All of these can be dangerous if an affected individual is operating heavy machinery, driving a vehicle, climbing stairs, riding a bike, or swimming, among many other activities. Individuals affected by chronic hypotension are at a greater risk of experiencing an injury to their head from falling from a standing position. Hypotension can cause the internal organs to be starved of oxygenated blood, which manifests as organ failure if it is left untreated. Hypotension can progress to shock in a patient who is not properly treated. Hypovolemic shock occurs when an individual experiences low blood pressure because they have lost over twenty percent of the fluid volume in their body due to severe diarrhea, blood loss, or dehydration.

Learn about treating low blood pressure next.