Low Blood Pressure

Alternate Names : Hypotension

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention is related to the cause. Avoiding dehydration can prevent cases due to this cause. Avoiding medications known to cause low blood pressure can prevent cases due to this cause. A person who takes medication to treat high blood pressure is instructed to not double up on medication if he or she misses a dose. This can lead to low blood pressure.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Severely low blood pressure may result in temporary or permanent damage to different organs, known as shock. The damage occurs when the blood pressure drops below the pressure needed to maintain blood circulation. Death may occur in serious cases.

Other long-term effects are related to the cause. For example, diabetes can cause damage to many areas of the body, including the heart, eyes, and kidneys. Low blood pressure due to medications often goes away as soon as the medications are stopped, and may have no long-term effects.

What are the risks to others?

Low blood pressure is not contagious and poses no risks to others.