Hypotension

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Low blood pressure; Blood pressure - low; Postprandial hypotension; Orthostatic hypotension; Neurally mediated hypotension; NMH

Symptoms may include:

• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fainting (syncope)
• Lightheadedness
• Sleepiness
• Weakness

A sudden drop in blood pressure that causes a sudden, brief loss of consciousness (syncope) can lead to accidents, including falls. Falls are particularly dangerous for older adults. Fall-related injuries, such as a broken hip, can dramatically impact a person's quality of life.

The health care provider will examine you and try to determine what is causing the low blood pressure. Your vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) will be checked frequently. You may need to stay in the hospital for a while.

The doctor will ask questions, including:

• What is your normal blood pressure?
• What medications do you take?
• Have you been eating and drinking normally?
• Have you have any recent illness, accident, or injury?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• Did you faint or become less alert?
• Do you feel dizzy or light-headed when standing or sitting after lying down?

The following tests may be done:

• Complete blood count ( CBC) and other blood tests, including blood differential
• Blood cultures to check for infection
• ECG
• Urinalysis
• X-ray of the abdomen
• X-ray of the chest

Review Date: 01/19/2007
Reviewed By: Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.