Another name for Orthostatic Hypotension would be Postural Hypotension. A lot of people in this whole wide world might not even notice that they have been experiencing it all the time. To those who are confused, this condition occurs when you are trying to stand up after a while of sitting down or lying down. You will feel some sort of light-headedness, dizziness, and blurry vision.
A bit of additional knowledge for all the people out there, Orthostatic Hypotension or known as Postural Hypotension is indeed one type of low blood pressure. When standing, gravity causes blood to pool in the legs and also the abdomen. This lowers the blood pressure because there would be less amount of blood that gets circulated back to the heart. Interesting to know all these.
Dr. Samhan tweeted on Twitter page, “Baroreceptors detect low blood pressure and send signals to centers in the brain, it signals the heart to beat faster and constrict blood vessels. This causes more blood to be pumped to the heart to stabilize blood pressure.
Reasons For Orthostatic Hypotension To Happen
1) Dehydration
It happens when the body loses more water than it takes in, such as excessive sweating during physical activity, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or the weather being too hot.
2) Postprandial Hypotension
Some people experience low blood pressure after eating food. This condition is usually in older adults.
3) Medication Intake
Taking medication for high blood pressure and heart disease such as diuretics (Lasix), calcium channel blockers (amlodipine), ACE inhibitors (perindopril), beta-blockers (metoprolol), alpha-blockers (losartan).
4) Heart Problem
Some heart conditions that can cause low blood pressure include a very low heart rate (bradycardia), heart valve problems, heart attack, and heart failure.
5) Thyroid Problems
Lack of adrenaline (Addison’s disease) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause orthostatic hypotension which can damage the nerves that help send signals that control blood pressure.
6) Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the volume of the circulatory system and blood pressure tends to decrease. This can cause lightheadedness when standing up quickly. Blood pressure levels return to normal after delivery.
7) Consumption Of Alcohol And Barbiturates
Alcohol, barbiturates (tranquilizers), and some types of self-purchased drugs if taken with high blood pressure drugs.
Things To Do When Orthostatic Hypotension Happens
- If you feel dizzy or almost faint, you keep sitting or lying down.
- Place your feet at the same level as your heart or sit with your head between your knees.
- Drink enough water. Do not forget to inhale and exhale slowly.
Sources: Twitter Dr. Samhan, Mayo Clinic.