Blood pressure, low
Alternative names:
hypotension; low blood pressure
Home care:
Follow prescribed therapy. Bed rest and some assistance with all activities may be recommended (at least until the condition improves).
Call your health care provider if:
- there is any sudden drop in blood pressure (shock often accompanies trauma or injury). Call an ambulance or your health care provider immediately, and administer first aid.
- there is persistent and unexplained low blood pressure (which may manifest itself by unexplained fainting spells).
- fainting or loss of consciousness occurs. Call an ambulance or your health care provider immediately, and administer first aid.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
In emergencies, the condition will be stabilized first. Then, a history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. Frequent monitoring of vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) will be necessary.
Medical history questions documenting low blood pressure include: - What is the blood pressure?
- What is the person's normal blood pressure?
- What medications does the person take?
- Has the person been eating and drinking normally?
- Is there any recent history of illness, accident, or injury?
- What other symptoms were also present?
- Did the person faint or become less alert?
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to low blood pressure to your personal medical record.
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