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Hypotension - Symptom

Alternative Names

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

Symptoms:

Symptoms may include:

Blurry vision
Confusion
Dizziness
Fainting (syncope)
Light-headedness
Sleepiness
Weakness

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will examine you and try to determine what is causing the low blood pressure. Your vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) will be checked frequently. You may need to stay in the hospital for a while.

The doctor will ask questions, including:

What is your normal blood pressure?
What medications do you take?
Have you been eating and drinking normally?
Have you had any recent illness, accident, or injury?
What other symptoms do you have?
Did you faint or become less alert?
Do you feel dizzy or light-headed when standing or sitting after lying down?

The following tests may be done:

Blood cultures to check for infection
Complete blood count (CBC) and other blood tests, including blood differential
ECG
Urinalysis
X-ray of the abdomen
X-ray of the chest

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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