ARTICLES / General /Blood Pressure: It’s a Balancing Act /
Other Articles
By: Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writer
Most people hear about all the symptoms and side
effects of high blood pressure. The opposite end of the
spectrum can be just as daunting if not kept in check.
Low blood pressure is desirable in many cases, unless
the reading is too low. Low blood pressure can
cause major damage to organs, especially the brain.
When the pressure is not enough to deliver blood to the
body’s organs, they will not work properly and can
become temporarily and even permanently damaged. With
the brain, a low blood pressure limits oxygen, causing
lightheadedness, dizziness and faintness. Other
examples of low blood pressure dangers include affects
on kidneys, which will be unable to eliminate wastes
from the body, or on the arteries, which will decrease
blood supply to the heart and may result in heart
attack.
“Shock” is the result when low blood pressure becomes
life threatening after persisting for a long time.
Caregivers need to know when low blood pressure needs to
be addressed by a medical professional, and ways to keep
the body working at its maximum capacity.
Here are some common causes of low blood pressure, which
is most common in people over the age of 65:
- Dehydration
- Moderate or severe
bleeding
- Severe inflammation or
infection of organs
- Heart disease
- Medications
Here are some symptoms a loved one may be exhibiting if
experiencing chronic low blood pressure:
- Dizziness or
lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Lack of concentration
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Cold, clammy and pale
skin
- Rapid, shallow
breathing
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Thirst
Printable Version
