Talking about low blood pressure, anemia is the first thing that comes to mind. Since anemia means a lack of blood, people tend to blindly supplement blood without considering other possibilities. In fact, the causes of low blood pressure are not limited to anemia. There are many diseases we know little about. It is necessary to understand the various factors that can lead to low blood pressure. Below, I will introduce some of these factors.
1. Acute hypotension refers to a sudden and significant drop in blood pressure from a normal or higher level. Clinically, it often causes symptoms such as dizziness, dark vision, weakness in the limbs, cold sweats, palpitations, and oliguria due to ischemia of important organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys. In severe cases, it may manifest as syncope or shock. For more information on this topic, please refer to the chapters on syncope and shock in this book.
2. Chronic hypotension refers to a state where blood pressure remains below the normal range. Most cases are related to the patient's constitution, age, or genetics, and are clinically referred to as constitutional hypotension. Some cases are related to changes in body position (especially standing), and are called orthostatic hypotension. Hypotension related to neurological, endocrine, and cardiovascular diseases is called secondary hypotension.
3. Classification of common causes of chronic hypotension:
a. Constitutional hypotension
b. Orthostatic hypotension:
(1) Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension
(2) Supine hypotensive syndrome
(3) Secondary orthostatic hypotension
c. Secondary hypotension:
(1) Neurological diseases: syringomyelia, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, etc.
(2) Endocrine and metabolic diseases: hypopituitarism, adrenocortical hypofunction, hypothyroidism, diabetic neuropathy, etc.
(3) Cardiovascular diseases: severe aortic or mitral stenosis, congestive heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, Takayasu's arteritis (pulseless disease), etc.
(4) Chronic wasting diseases: malignant tumors, severe tuberculosis, malabsorption syndrome, etc.
(5) Hypovolemia: diarrhea, vomiting, excessive dehydration, overdiuresis, excessive sweating, excessive blood loss, etc.
(6) Iatrogenic factors: sedatives, hypnotics, vasodilators, sympatholytic drugs (including ganglion blockers), diuretics, dehydrating agents, antidepressants, chlorpromazine, etc.
(7) Others: such as plateau hypotension, carcinoid syndrome, etc.
After reading about the symptoms of low blood pressure and the diseases it may cause, what thoughts come to mind? Are you also wondering what the cause of low blood pressure is for yourself or your loved ones? Additionally, if you or your friends have severely low blood pressure and feel unwell, I recommend visiting a formal hospital or relevant professional for examination and consultation, because good health is the foundation for everything.
