Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of blood vessels, a healthy level is about 120/80 mmHg, lower than 90/60 mmHg is low blood pressure.

To ensure that all parts of the body, especially the brain, heart, and lungs, receive plenty of oxygen, blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day according to the needs of the organs. The body also continuously adjusts and balances blood pressure. This index can drop if you stand up suddenly, and usually decreases when you sleep or rest.

Master, Doctor, CKII Huynh Thanh Kieu, Head of Department of Internal Medicine Cardiology 1, Cardiovascular Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that people with sudden drop in blood pressure have symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, difficulty maintaining balance, sweating, rapid and shallow breathing. Severe cases may cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness or fainting... The doctor suggested how to handle this situation.

When blood pressure is mildly low, the patient should lie down on a flat surface or sit against a chair, using a pillow to support the head and legs so that the legs are higher than the head. Drink a glass of water or milk, eat more chocolate, candy or ginger tea, ginseng water... to help blood pressure return to normal soon. When more alert, the patient should be helped to sit up slowly, practice moving the limbs to avoid dizziness.

Patients with dangerous symptoms such as coma, confusion, loss of balance, and loss of consciousness should be taken to a medical facility as soon as possible.

To prevent sudden drop in blood pressure, Dr. Kieu advises the following ways:

Drink enough water : Dehydration can sometimes lead to low blood pressure. Some people have low blood pressure even with mild dehydration such as vomiting, severe diarrhea, fever, excessive sweating during exercise... Some diuretics can also cause dehydration.

Balanced diet: Lack of nutrients is also the cause of low blood pressure. People who lack vitamin B12, folic acid and iron can become anemic, which gradually leads to low blood pressure. You should eat a variety of vitamins and minerals from green vegetables, fruits and grains so that your body has enough necessary nutrients.

Eat small frequent meals: Low blood pressure after a large meal is more common in older adults. After a full meal, blood concentrates in the digestive system to support nutrient absorption, causing many organs to lack blood, including the brain, causing low blood pressure. This can be overcome by eating small frequent meals.

Limit or avoid alcohol: Alcoholic beverages can lead to dehydration, interact with medications, and cause low blood pressure.

Wear compression stockings: Compression stockings or stockings can help prevent blood from pooling in your legs, which can reduce your risk of postural hypotension. This is a drop in blood pressure when you stand or lie down for too long, and is common in older adults.

Taking medication: Patients should take blood pressure control medication regularly as prescribed by their doctor, if any.

Dr. Kieu recommends that patients should proactively monitor their blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor at home. If this condition occurs frequently, patients should see a cardiologist to find the cause and receive early treatment.

Bao Bao