postural hypotension can be prevented - blood pressure help, medical advice and information
Postural Hypotension
Postural hypotension is characterized as a sudden decrease in your blood pressure levels when you stand up. It happens due to the fact that the moment you stand up your blood instantly starts pooling in the veins located on your legs. This sudden drop creates shortage of blood in the rest of your body, and is not recommended for health reasons.
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Nerves naturally stop the pulling of blood in your leg veins. This causes those veins to shrink in efforts to secure the sufficient quantity of blood to return to heart. Contraction of the veins also ensures that the quantity of blood pumped out by your heart is sufficient. This 'self-protecting' mechanism provided the brain and internal organs with the necessary blood supply.
Such pooling of blood that occurs in the veins explains the fact that less blood makes its way back to the heart and, consequently, less of it is being pumped out. All of these create shortage of blood to return back to your brain, organs, and limbs. Such shortage leads to dizzy spells, lack of consciousness, and unexpected fatigue.
One of the examples of postural hypotension can be observed during parades. Guards, who are standing and keeping the same position for long periods of time, often faint. If you want to experience how hypotension feels, try squatting down and keeping the position for several seconds. After that, stand up abruptly. You will experience the sudden drop in the blood pressure that may lead to dizziness.
All of the above explain the fact that if you have a low blood pressure you will also experience dizzy spells and you can possibly pass out. If this sounds familiar, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Ask them to have your pressure checked while you are sitting, standing, and lying down. Your doctor will be able to detect any suspicious differences and take necessary follow-up action.
You can see that high blood pressure is different from low blood pressure in its symptoms and consequences. Both have to be attended to as they are detected. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the necessary steps to help prevent postural hypotension.
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