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Hypotension How dangerous is low blood pressure and what can help?
Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness: The effects of low blood pressure can be quite annoying. Nevertheless, hypotension is often harmless. Simple tips can usually help to get your blood pressure back on track. However, with persistent low blood pressure, a doctor should be contacted.
Most are warned against high blood pressure levels
When it comes to the topic of blood pressure, it is usually warned against high values. Hypertension is considered to be a major risk factor for potentially fatal cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke. Although currently values over 140 to 90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) are referred to as hypertension, but experts should actually be 120 instead of 140, the new blood pressure target.
When it comes to blood pressure, it's usually about warnings of health-threatening hypertension. But some people also have low blood pressure. Instead of medication, it is more likely to rely on means of self-help. (Image: goodluz / fotolia.com) Up to five million Germans have low blood pressure
However, there are people whose blood pressure is too low. In Germany alone, this should be the case for an estimated three to five million. Worldwide, up to five percent of the population are affected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), blood pressure in women is less than 100 to 60 mmHg and low in men under 110 to 70 mmHg. The so-called hypotension is not always harmless, it can also be a sign of disease.
Find out the causes of hypotension
In a message from the news agency dpa experts have important information on the subject. According to the press secretary of the Federal Association of established cardiologists (BNK), Heribert Brück, a doctor should investigate if the low blood pressure has an organic cause. For example, low blood pressure may be an indication of hypothyroidism or heart disease such as heart failure.
Patients do not always experience a circulatory disorder
"The low blood pressure itself is not a disease," said Brück. It is rather a circulatory disorder. Hypotension is often perceived by those affected only when dizziness, buzzing or sensitivity to cold are present in certain situations. According to the information, physicians distinguish between the regulative as well as the chronic and episodic hypotension.
Disorders in the blood circulation
In the case of the former, for example, there are problems with rapid physical changes of position. This can be about the abrupt recovery of the body after stooping or too fast getting up after lying down. Affected then may be dizzy, they see little stars. Chronic or episodic blood pressure, on the other hand, causes circulatory disturbances. This could express itself among other things in concentration weakness and fast fatigue.
Seniors should take low blood pressure seriously
According to the pharmacist Ursula Sellerberg of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists in Berlin, especially older people should take a low blood pressure seriously. For example, when seniors have trouble getting up, they risk falling at the first steps. "Especially in older people, who often suffer from osteoporosis, it can lead to painful and complicated fractures," warned Sellerberg.
No medication for hypotension
Blood pressure patients are sometimes prescribed antihypertensive drugs. "Low blood pressure usually does not apply drugs," explained Brück. Rather, it is set to means for self-help. "Often it can be helpful to improve blood circulation and oxygenation," said Christian Dannhart of the Kneipp Association - Federal Association for Health Promotion and Prevention in Bad Wörishofen.
Changing showers for self-help
For example, there is a hydrotherapy in the form of alternating showers. These stimulate the cardiovascular system and promote circulation. "You should always take a shower with cold water," Dr. Norbert Smetak from the BNK in an earlier communication of "Cardiologists in the Net".
If the change from warm to cold all over the body is too intense, you can begin to shed only individual parts of the body with changing water temperatures. "In advance, however, a doctor should be consulted," warned Brück. For certain pre-existing conditions such as venous disease, alternating showers are not always recommended.
Saline-rich food and mineral water
In addition, a low-salt diet is recommended for lower blood pressure. For some people, a high-salt diet can actually be healthy. "A diet rich in minerals and vitamins is also important, so a lot of fruits and vegetables," said Dannhart. In addition, it is important for the circulation to drink enough. It should be at least two liters of mineral water per day.
Bicycling with your legs in the air
Medicinal plants that have a stimulating effect on the circulation should also have a positive effect on hypotension. Last but not least, exercise also helps. "One way you can, for example, to stimulate the circulation by cycling in the morning in bed before getting up with your legs in the air," said Sellerberg.
"Regular physical activity also helps to improve the regulatory capacity of the blood vessels. In addition to endurance sports such as swimming, cycling and jogging, there are also sports with fast actions such as badminton or squash ". Smetak. In addition, moderate exercise in the fresh air is recommended.
"Relaxation techniques such as yoga or breathing exercises can also promote blood circulation and improve the brain's oxygen supply," says Dannhart. A hint from Sellerberg: "Concerned people should just lie down and lay their legs up often." (Ad)