QUESTION:
Low blood pressure is never mentioned in health advice columns. What symptoms does this produce and how dangerous can it be?
ANSWER:
It depends what is causing the low blood pressure. It is important to know whether the person has always had low blood pressure, or whether it is a recent development.
There are multiple conditions that can cause low blood pressure, or “hypotension”.
More common conditions are loss of blood, cardiac failure, hypothyroidism, diabetes, Addison’s disease, septicaemia, malnutrition and anaemia. Each needs specific, specialised treatment.
Some medications can contribute to low blood pressure.
Hypotension can also occur during pregnancy, which can be normal; standing up after prolonged rest; and prolonged standing still.
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