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Hypotension - Prevention

Alternative Names

Low blood pressure; Blood pressure - low; Postprandial hypotension; Orthostatic hypotension; Neurally mediated hypotension; NMH

Prevention:

If you have low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend certain steps to prevent or reduce your symptoms. This may include:

Avoiding alcohol
Avoiding standing for a long time (if you have NMH)
Drinking plenty of fluids
Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down
Using compression stockings to increase blood pressure in the legs

Reviewed last on: 2/22/2009
Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Calkins H, Zipes DP. Hypotension and syncope. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 37.

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