Hypotension put simply is low blood pressure. Hypotension can be a result of a plethora of variables, from disease and infection to climate and personal activity. The exact epidemiology of hypotension is not completely known as it is a common symptom to suffer when a person is experiencing a more significant disease. Normal blood pressure is 120mmHg systolic and 80mmHg diastolic; blood pressure below 90mmHg systolic and 60mmHg diastolic is classified as hypotension.
Hypotension unless associated with other obvious signs and symptoms is difficult to have its etiology unmistakably identified. Patients who experience dehydration, have low blood volume, which results in blood pressure dropping as a result of blood not filling vessels, therefore, not being able to maintain adequate blood pressure. Fevers, strenuous exercise, as well as overdoses of diuretics and hereditary diseases, can also lead to hypotension, and severe blood loss can also result in low blood volume.
Hypotension is a result of a lack of blood flow, therefore anything that reduces cardiac output, obstructs the vessels, lowers blood volume, and reduces blood redistribution will show hypotension. Embolisms block blood flow by causing obstruction and patients experiencing bradycardia, do not have a high enough heart rate to pump blood sufficiently, therefore, hypotension can be involved in many pathophysiologies of other underlying diseases.
The signs and symptoms of hypotension are not easy to identify and commonly go unnoticeable, if there are any symptoms, patients potentially experience breathlessness, light-headedness, weak pulses, pallor, and in extreme cases, syncope. Treatment of hypotension should involve investigating further, into what other symptoms are arising from this condition, if a patient is experiencing hypotension regularly, then there is most likely an underlying cause. Taking into consideration, firstly getting a wider knowledge of the patient’s family history may lead to the initial medical concern for the patient experiencing hypotension. Ask about the patient’s day as well, as their activity, such as exercise or diet can show hypotension in extreme circumstances. Use the head-to-toe assessment to investigate whether any unknown bleeding and trauma are causing the hypotension. If no underlying etiology can be found, the only treatment recommended would be giving the patient fluids; it is a low-risk procedure, and doing so may see an increase in blood pressure. Giving a patient fluid who is hypotensive will keep mean arterial pressure up so primary organ perfusion can still function, though, without a proper supply of blood, perfusion won’t return entirely. Finally, transportation to a hospital is essential, there the patient can receive further examination if no underlying cause was found and begin necessary treatment.
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