How to treat hypotension? Medications for low pressure + lifestyle changes and first aid

Author:
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker

The treatment focuses mainly on regimen measures and lifestyle adjustments. A sufficient drinking regime will help. In addition to fluids, it is necessary to increase salt intake.

Also read the article: Drinking regime - how much or too little fluid

This increase in intake is especially important in the summer when fluid and mineral losses during sweating increase. It is similar with increased physical exertion, work or exercise. Another and morbid example is diarrhea or repeated vomiting.

It is necessary to think about the way of getting up or changing position . Getting out of bed , especially in the morning, needs to be adjusted -  slow down .

  1. position lying down
  2. sit on the bed
  3. run the lower limbs out of bed
  4. drink a glass of water before getting out of bed
  5. take a deep breath and exhale
  6. wait a few seconds
  7. stand up

If you stand abruptly, getting to your feet on the bed is a risk of falling off.

In case of chronic problems, an examination by a doctor is important. Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend elastic stockings or socks. These help to return blood from the lower limbs to the body.

People with high blood pressure may have a problem taking medication. Then a doctor's check-up is necessary. He can adjust or change the treatment.

Examples of drugs that can cause low blood pressure are:

  • diuretics - drugs for urination, dehydration
  • beta-blockers in high blood pressure and arrhythmias
  • nitrates, NTG for chest pain that should not be applied if the blood pressure is below 100/60
  • Viagra with a combination of nitrates, including nitroglycerin NTG (spray or pill under the tongue for chest pain)
  • antidepressants

First aid for hypotension

What is first aid for hypotension? If a person's head becomes tangled, he will feel a rush of heat or blackness in front of his eyes ... 

Act quickly, otherwise there is a risk of collapse and there is a risk of injury.

You ask: What to do then?

  1. change position
    • at least sit down
    • Kneel your head between your knees
    • the best position is lying down
      • one no longer has the opportunity to fall and cause injury
  2. lifting of the lower limbs
    • a maximum angle of 45 ° is sufficient
    • in orthostatic collapse
    • sometimes it is not necessary
    • CAUTION - NO in the case of a cardiac cause of collapse
  3. fluid replenishment
    • the affected person should drink at least 0.5 liters of fluids
    • very often syncope is the result of reduced fluid intake
    • the best is pure water or mineral water with a higher sodium content
    • CAUTION for some  heart disease and kidney failure when the drinking regime is tightly controlled
  4. possibly when feeling weak:
    • cross the lower limbs
    • push your thighs together
    • tense all the muscles of the lower limbs
    • or do spikes on the toes and tighten the calf muscles

Read the article on: Heart Failure.

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Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker
The secondary medical school in Nitra gave me the basis for my career in the field of health and diseases. Thanks to it, I worked for 2 years in the traumatology clinic and outpatient clinic at the Nitra Hospital. Since 2006 I was employed in the emergency medical service, where I stayed until 2017. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra in the field of emergency health care. The bachelor's degree allowed me to continue my mission as a paramedic. In the meantime, I got a job at the emergency line 155. I have been working in pre-hospital health care until today. I had an interest in people, health and even diseases in my childhood, which gave me the prerequisite to pursue this topic in adulthood. Studying and acquiring new information in practice provided me with a great basis for writing professional texts, in the form of articles that can be understood by ordinary people. Thus, my interest in the Health Portal has a solid foundation in years of practice and personal interest. Similarly, I am also interested in healthy eating, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyle. I fill my free time with family and sports.
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