Hypotension Health Article

Signs and tests

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 had 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:

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

Treatment

Hypotension in a healthy person that does not cause any problems usually doesn't require treatment.

If you have signs or symptoms of low blood pressure, you may need treatment. Treatment depends on the cause of your low blood pressure. Severe hypotension caused by shock is a medical emergency. You may be given blood through a needle (IV), medicines to increase blood pressure and improve heart strength, and other medicines, such as antibiotics. For more details, see the article on shock.

If you have orthostatic hypotension caused by medicines, your doctor may change the dose or switch you to a different drug. DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your doctor. Other treatments for orthostatic hypotension include increasing fluids to treat dehydration or wearing elastic hose to boost blood pressure in the lower part of the body.

Those with NMH should avoid triggers, such as standing for a long period of time. Other treatments involve drinking plenty of fluids and increasing the amount of salt in your diet. (Ask your doctor about specific recommendations.) In severe cases, medicines such as fludrocortisone may be prescribed.

Expectations (prognosis)

Low blood pressure can usually be treated with success.