What is Postural Hypotension?
QUICK BITES
- The sudden drop in blood pressure when you get up from lying down or sitting is known as postural hypotension
- Postural hypotension occurs due to the failure of the autonomic nervous system
- The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary vital functions like heartbeat, blood pressure, and breathing
The sudden drop in blood pressure when you get up from lying down or sitting is known as postural hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, or neurally mediated orthostatic hypotension. Postural hypotension occurs due to the failure of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary vital functions like heartbeat, blood pressure, and breathing.
When you, stand up from lying down or sitting, some blood pools in your lower limbs. But normally your body compensates for it increasing your heart rate and constricting the blood vessels. If this fails to happen, or occurs slowly, the blood pressure falls and postural hypotension results. Postural hypotension occurs more common in the elderly.
Cause of Postural Hypotension
- Postural hypotension, or low blood pressure on standing up suddenly, can occur due to several reasons such as;
- Dehydration or loss of water from the body due to vomiting, diarrhea, or fever
- Starvation or lack of food,
- Standing for a long period in the heat,
- Excessive fatigue or tiredness
- Elderly
- Certain medications, like drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Dietary and psychological factors, and
- Severe infection,
- Allergic reaction,
- Pregnancy,
- Diabetes,
- Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.
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