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Knowing When Low Blood Pressure Readings Can Be Serious

By: Steven McCarthy

Understanding the difference between low blood pressure readings ( hypotension) and high blood pressure (hypertension) can be confusing, the two medical terms sound very similar. Although they are complete opposites both have serious medical consequences.

The autonomic nervous system controls your blood pressure using a vast network of hormones, receptors and nerves to control the sympathetic nervous system ( increases blood pressure) and your parasympathetic nervous system (lowers blood pressure) these two systems work together to constantly control your blood pressure while exercising or resting.

Can You Have Low Blood Pressure And Not Know It Many people have had low blood pressure their entire lives with no symptoms what so ever. The reason they experience no symptoms is that it is the normal pressure for their body. A good example would be if someone had a blood pressure reading of 80/50 their whole life and never had a symptom.

While the second person has had a normal blood pressure reading of 120/80 all their lives, but lately they have had trouble with dizziness and even blurred vision. Upon visiting their doctor, they learn their blood pressure dropped from 120/80 to 120/60 and that change in pressure is new for their body and so triggers the following possible symptoms. Blurred vision, Cold and clammy, pale skin, Nausea, and Fainting.

The second trigger of hypotension (Low blood pressure) is insufficient constriction of the arterioles, also known as excessive vasodilation. There are numerous reasons this can happen, such as a reduction in the sympathetic nervous system discharge or an increase in the parasympathetic activity caused by a brain injury, or an abnormality in the autonomic nervous system.

Excessive bleeding can bring on Anemia which is brought on by a low blood volume. Anemia can also associate with low blood pressure ( hypotension) especially detectable when standing from a sitting position. A healthy diet is very important for maintaining a healthy level of nutrients promoting normal blood pressure levels. There are many medicines used as anti depressants. anti-anxiety even some heart medicines can also cause low blood pressure readings.

Some types of commonly prescribed medicines are Beta Blockers which lower blood pressure by slowing the heart rate or beats of the heart. This is why talking honestly with your doctor about the medicines you are taking is so important.

Low blood pressure can make you feel tired and week, sometimes even depressed. Studies have shown people with low blood pressure all the time tend to have lower weight and be shorter in stature when compared to those people with average blood pressure readings. These people do not necessarily have to suffer from weakness and fatigue.

Blood pressure will rise and fall during the course of your day depending on what activities your performing. So try taking your blood pressure reading after the same kind of activity every day. For example, after your shower, or maybe after dinner. You do not have to worry about low blood pressure readings that are low for short amounts of time, you only have low blood pressure if it stays low all the time.

Steven McCarthy has been probing how to control blood pressure for years and penned numerous articles on the topic so that quickly grasping blood pressure information is not something that has to be difficult for you. If your looking for answers to the questions you have been probing and not just a bunch of confusing medical jargon. Check out www.howtocontrolbloodpressure.com/

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com




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