eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Recognize Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Continued low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, may cause permanent organ damage if it goes untreated because the organs cannot function properly when blood pressure is too low to give them an adequate blood supply. You can avert this danger by recognizing the symptoms of possible low blood pressure and seeking treatment quickly once they have been identified.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Stay alert to unusual symptoms, especially when you're moving from sitting or lying to standing. This is when the symptoms of low blood pressure are most likely to appear.

  2. Step 2

    Check for lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting upon standing. These may be signs of low blood pressure and should be reported to your medical provider.

  3. Step 3

    Realize that even seemingly unrelated symptoms such as depression, fatigue, blurred vision and thirst may in fact be signs of low blood pressure.

  4. Step 4

    Be aware that shock may result from low blood pressure. If you notice the abnormal symptoms described in Steps 2 or 3 or signs of shock, seek medical help. Signs of shock include nausea, clammy skin and rapid, shallow breathing.

Tips & Warnings
  • Thinking you might have a health problem can be scary, but only a doctor can tell you for sure. It's always best to have possible problems checked out sooner rather than later. It's better to be scared than dead or permanently impaired.
  • High blood pressure may be the more common concern, but low blood pressure can cause permanent organ damage or even death. If you think there's a chance you may have low blood pressure, you should seek medical help immediately.
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Health Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2010 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health