Causes

There are many possible causes of hypotension.

Some can overlap, making the diagnosis difficult in some cases.

It can occur if you are not getting enough fluids or if your body is losing too much fluid.

A woman having her blood pressure taken

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Sudden changes in cardiac output can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Causes of decreased cardiac output include.

Vasodilation

In vasodilation, as the blood vessels get wider, blood pressure continues to drop.

On the other hand, you oughta call 911 or seek immediate emergency if you experience signs of shock.

If left untreated, shock can lead to permanent organ damage,cardiac arrest, and even death.

Septic shock may require IV antibiotics, while anaphylactic shock requires epinephrine (adrenaline).

Compression socks are often prescribed for people with orthostatic hypotension to prevent the pooling of blood in the legs.

Wearing them keeps more blood in the upper body.

Prognosis

Low blood pressure can usually be treated successfully with medication and lifestyle changes.

Discuss these risks and complications with your healthcare provider.

Summary

A sudden drop in blood pressure can occur for a variety of reasons.

Some of these are not a cause for concern.

In some cases, though, it may be a sign of something more serious, and even life-threatening.

Serious underlying causes usually have other symptoms.

It is important not to ignore signs of hypotension.

This is especially true if the drop is sudden and severe.

Hypotension can often be treated successfully.

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