It is known that high blood pressure can lead to health problems such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke and kidney disease... But can low blood pressure also lead to health problems such as heart attack, for example? Here is the answer in the following lines.
What do blood pressure levels mean?
Blood pressure levels are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and are written as systolic blood pressure (the force of blood in your artery walls against your heartbeat) and diastolic pressure increase, the blood pressure between heartbeats. People with ideal blood pressure will have levels less than 12/8. Any level higher than that may warn of high blood pressure, and any level lower than that, can cause a drop in blood pressure.
Can low blood pressure cause heart attacks?
A scientific study was conducted involving 22,672 people from 45 countries with heart disease who were also taking medication for high blood pressure. Scientists found that a blood pressure reading higher than 140/80 was associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In contrast, they also discovered that a systolic blood pressure higher than 120 mm Hg, as well as a diastolic blood pressure less than 70 mm Hg, were associated with a higher chance of dying and having a heart attack. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful about very low blood pressure in people with coronary artery disease, as it may increase the risk of heart attacks, according to the study. Thus, it can be considered that high blood pressure causes heart attacks, as well as very low blood pressure that may lead to heart attacks as well.
In fact, more studies are needed to determine ideal blood pressure levels below which the harm outweighs the benefit. Meanwhile, doctors suggest caution when treating people with heart disease with blood pressure-lowering medications to not lower the level in a way that is harmful to the patient's health.
Can low blood pressure be treated?
Sometimes asymptomatic hypotension or with mild symptoms may not require treatment. But if hypotension is causing symptoms, treatment depends on the cause. For example, if a medication causes low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend changing or stopping the medication or lowering the dose. Do not change or stop taking your medication without first talking to your doctor.
If the cause of low blood pressure is not clear or there is no treatment, the goal is to raise blood pressure and reduce symptoms. Depending on your age, health, and type of hypotension, there are several ways to do this:
- Use more salt: Experts usually recommend limiting salt, as it can significantly raise blood pressure. However, for people with low blood pressure, this can be a good thing. But too much sodium can lead to heart failure, especially in the elderly. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor before increasing the salt.
- Drink more water: fluids increase the amount of blood, and help prevent dehydration, which contributes to the treatment of low blood pressure.
- Wearing compression stockings: These elastic stockings are also known as support stockings and are commonly used to relieve the pain and swelling of varicose veins. it improves blood flow from the legs to the heart.
- Medication: Several medications are available to treat low blood pressure that occurs when you stand (orthostatic hypotension). For example, the drug fludrocortisone increases blood volume. It is often used to treat orthostatic hypotension.
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