Know What Causes Low Blood Pressure And Its Effects On Heart

The desirable blood pressure range is 120/80mmHg. Low blood pressure reading usually consists of 90/60mmHg or lower. Mostly low blood pressure is desirable. But if blood pressure is too low, it can cause dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, etc. Severely low blood pressure can be life-threatening. 

Let’s understand what causes low blood pressure, its effects on the heart and problems associated with low diastolic blood pressure.

8 Primary conditions that cause low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure can occur in different manners. Some people may experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when they stand up from a sitting or lying position. 

Some people experience low blood pressure after 1 or 2 hours after eating or after standing for long periods.

Let’s discuss what causes low blood pressure:

1. Heart problems:

An extremely rapid or very slow heartbeat, heart valve disease, heart attack, and heart failure can cause low blood pressure.

2. Medications:

Medications prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart disorders are the ones that most often cause a drop in blood pressure as a side effect. Drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease, depression, and erectile dysfunction can also cause low blood pressure. 

3. Blood loss:

Too little blood volume may be caused by severe injury, internal bleeding, or dehydration. Reduced blood volume can cause a severe drop in blood pressure.

4. Endocrine disorders:

Imbalance in certain hormone production can cause low blood pressure. Addison’s disease, parathyroid disease, hypothyroidism, low or high blood sugar levels can cause a drop in blood pressure. 

5. Infection of the bloodstream:

In some people, the bacterial, viral or fungal infection occurring in the body enters the bloodstream. This infection becomes very severe and affects the organs. The damage in the blood vessels caused by the infection can cause very low blood pressure.

6. Poor diet:

If your diet lacks folate, vitamin B12 and iron, your body cannot produce sufficient red blood cells and cause low blood pressure.

7. Severe allergic reactions:

Certain medications such as antibiotics, foods such as peanut, stings of bees, latex, etc., can cause severe allergic reactions within minutes in some people called anaphylactic shock. It can cause breathing problems, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and very low blood pressure.

8. Pregnancy:

A drop in blood pressure is common in pregnancy, especially during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Changes in circulation, increased demand for blood and swinging hormones can lower blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is usually restored after childbirth.

Low diastolic blood pressure effects on the heart:

1. Low blood pressure leads to poor blood flow and could result in nutrients and oxygen not reaching vital organs such as the brain and heart. If you have low systolic blood pressure, it can cause fainting, lightheadedness, and weakness. Low diastolic blood pressure itself doesn’t cause any symptoms. 

2. If you have heart disease, it becomes essential that your diastolic blood pressure is not lower than 70mmHg.

3. People who have low diastolic blood pressure are twice as likely to have heart damage when compared with people who have stage 1 high diastolic blood pressure (80-89mmHg).

4. Low diastolic blood pressure is also associated with a higher risk of heart attack and hospitalization for heart failure. 

When low blood pressure seeks attention?

Low blood pressure is mostly considered harmless. But you need to give attention to low blood pressure at certain times. If you feel any signs of low blood pressure such as dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, feeling faint, tiredness, or lack of concentration, you should consult your physician.