Suddenly you feel dizzy, your eyesight blurs, you feel like you are collapsing... Most people describe this situation as "my blood pressure has dropped" and they are right. One in four adults in Turkey suffers from low blood pressure at some point in their life. So why does blood pressure drop? Sometimes you may just be dehydrated, sometimes it may be the first sign of a much more serious disease. In this article, I will explain in detail all the causes and symptoms of low blood pressure, who is at higher risk, and what you can do at home.
What is Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) and How Many Types Are There?
When your blood pressure drops below 90/60 mmHg, it is medically considered "hypotension, that is, low blood pressure. But numbers don't tell everything; While even 85/55 does not cause any complaints in some people, even 100/65 may cause fainting in others. What matters is whether you have a complaint or not.
Low blood pressure is divided into several groups:
- Orthostatic hypotension: Sudden drop when standing up
- Postprandial hypotension: The drop immediately after eating
- Neurological (nervous system-derived) hypotension: The type seen with diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes
- Sudden (acute) hypotension: Emergency situations such as blood loss, infection, allergies
- Chronic hypotension: A condition that remains low for years and usually does not cause complaints
Why Does Blood Pressure Drop? 15 Most Common Reasons
1. Thirst and Dehydration
50-55% of the blood in your body is water. Even just 2-3% water loss reduces blood volume and significantly lowers your blood pressure. In summer, sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive coffee and tea consumption are the most common causes.
2. Sudden Standing Up (Orthostatic Hypotension)
If the blood that accumulates in the legs while lying or sitting cannot suddenly return to the heart when you stand up, not enough blood can reach the brain. Dizziness, blackout and even fainting occur within 10-20 seconds. It is especially common when getting out of bed in the morning.
3. Blood Pressure Drop Immediately After Meal
After a large, carbohydrate-rich meal, most of the blood is directed to the digestive system. Although the heart tries to compensate for this, there is a significant decrease 30-60 minutes after eating, especially in people over 65 years of age and diabetics.
4. Hot Air, Hot Shower and Sauna
Hot dilates the vessels and causes blood to collect on the skin. Blood flow to the brain and internal organs decreases. This is why most fainting occurs after baths, saunas, or long hot showers.
5. Overdose or Side Effect of Blood Pressure Medications
20% of patients treated for high blood pressure develop low blood pressure due to excessive use of medications. Especially ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics and alpha blockers can cause this.
6. Heart Rhythm Disorders and Heart Failure
If the heart does not beat strong enough or beats too slowly/irregularly, blood cannot be pumped sufficiently. It is common in people with bradycardia (pulse below 50).
7. Diabetes (Diabetes) and Autonomic Neuropathy
Long-term and uncontrolled diabetes destroys the nerves. Reflexes that regulate blood pressure are impaired. These patients may experience a 20-30 mmHg blood pressure drop when they stand up.
8. B12, Folic Acid and Iron Deficiency Anemia
If there is anemia, not enough oxygen can reach the tissues because the carrier hemoglobin decreases. The brain tries to compensate for this by “lowering blood pressure”. It is very common, especially in women, along with menstrual bleeding.
9. Pregnancy Period
Especially in the second trimester of pregnancy, the progesterone hormone relaxes the veins, and the growing uterus puts pressure on the main vein (vena cava). That's why 10-15% of pregnant women have low blood pressure. It gets worse when you lie on your back.
10. Blood Loss
Menstrual bleeding, hemorrhoid bleeding, stomach ulcer, internal and external bleeding after an accident... The more blood you lose, the lower the blood pressure. Rapid blood loss of more than 500 ml may lead to shock.
11. Infection and Sepsis
The body's response to severe infections excessively dilates the veins. Just like in hot weather, blood accumulates in the skin and blood pressure suddenly drops. This situation creates a life-threatening situation.
12. Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
Severe allergies that develop after bee stings, penicillin allergy, and foods such as peanuts cause the secretion of histamine, which dilates the vessels. Within minutes, blood pressure may drop to 60/30.
13. Neurological Diseases Such as Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis
Damage to the brain and spinal cord disrupts the autonomic nervous system, which regulates blood pressure. These patients experience frequent fluctuations during the day.
14. Alcohol and Some Sedating Drugs
Alcohol dilates the vessels and creates thirst with its diuretic effect. Sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and some antidepressants may also have the same effect.
15. Staying in Bed for a Long Time
In patients hospitalized for more than 1 week, leg muscles weaken and vascular tone decreases. Blood pressure drops significantly when you first stand up. This condition is called “deconition hypotension”.
What are the Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?
Low blood pressure manifests itself in the following ways:
- Dizziness and feeling light-headed
- Darkening or blurred vision
- Fainting or feeling faint (presyncope)
- Weakness, fatigue, inability to get out of bed in the morning
- Cold sweating, cold hands and feet
- Difficulty concentrating, absent-mindedness
- Pain or feeling of heaviness in the neck and shoulders
- Humming in the ears
- Sometimes throbbing headache in the back of the neck
Who is at More Risk?
- People over 65 years of age (due to arteriosclerosis and medication use)
- Pregnant women (especially 2nd trimester)
- Diabetes and heart patients
- Those who use blood pressure medication
- Those who have diseases such as Parkinson's, MS, diabetic neuropathy
- Young women suffering from anemia
- Those who remain inactive for long periods of time (long plane journeys, bed rest)
What Can You Do at Home to Raise Blood Pressure Fast?
- Get up slowly: Before lying down, sit for 1-2 minutes, let your feet hang on the floor, then get up.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking 2.5-3 liters of water daily is the most effective method.
- Salted buttermilk: Adding 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of cold buttermilk and drinking it slowly provides significant improvement in 10-15 minutes (unless you have heart failure).
- Tighten your leg muscles: Crossing your legs and squeezing them while sitting, and standing on tiptoe a few times before standing up will allow the blood to return upwards.
- Use compression stockings: Tight socks, such as compression socks, prevent blood from accumulating in the legs.
- Eat small and frequent meals: 5-6 small meals instead of large meals reduces blood pressure fluctuations.
- Take caffeine: 1 cup of Turkish coffee or strong tea provides a short-term boost.
- Light snack with carbohydrates: Quickly absorbed sugars such as molasses-tahini, jam-bread, banana are useful.
- If you sleep on your back, turn on your side (especially for pregnant women).
- Take a warm shower instead of a cold one.
When Should You Go to the Doctor?
Contact a doctor immediately in the following cases:
- If you faint frequently
- If chest pain is accompanied by shortness of breath
- If there is weakness and dizziness lasting more than 3 days
- If symptoms started after starting a new medication
- If you see blood in your urine or stool
- If there are signs of infection such as fever and chills
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does blood pressure suddenly drop?
The most common symptoms are sudden standing up, thirst, excessive drug dosage or heart rhythm disorder. Sometimes severe allergies or infections can also collapse within minutes.
Is low blood pressure dangerous?
It is generally not life-threatening, but frequent fainting increases the risk of falls and fractures. It is very dangerous if there is underlying infection, bleeding or heart disease.
Does salted buttermilk really help when blood pressure drops?
Yes. Adding 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of cold buttermilk and drinking it slowly provides significant improvement within 10-15 minutes. Those with heart failure or kidney disease should not do it without consulting a doctor.
Why does blood pressure drop during pregnancy?
Progesterone hormone relaxes the veins, the growing uterus puts pressure on the main vein. It is especially common in the 2nd trimester. Lying on your left side and drinking plenty of water helps.
Does low blood pressure cause headaches?
Yes, since there is not enough oxygenated blood flowing to the brain, it may cause heaviness in the neck, throbbing or pressure-like pain in the temples. Drinking plenty of water and keeping the head slightly elevated reduces pain.
