Correctly handle hypotension at home to prevent stroke

Many people have low blood pressure without knowing it - Illustration photo

Does low blood pressure have an effect?

MSc. Hoang Khanh Toan, former head of the Oriental Medicine Department, 108 Central Military Hospital, said low blood pressure is a common medical condition, especially in women.

In adults, after many times of measuring blood pressure correctly, if the maximum blood pressure index is below 90mmHg and/or the minimum blood pressure is below 60mmHg, or the current blood pressure index is lower than the previous blood pressure index, then it is low blood pressure.

There are two types of low blood pressure: primary low blood pressure and secondary low blood pressure. Primary low blood pressure often has no known cause. This type is common in women during puberty or menopause.

Secondary low blood pressure has a specific cause and is divided into two types: acute secondary low blood pressure is often caused by trauma causing blood loss, by diarrhea causing dehydration and electrolyte loss, by overdose of antihypertensive drugs...;

Chronic secondary low blood pressure is often seen in hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis, colitis and prolonged gastritis causing physical weakness...

Symptoms of primary low blood pressure are very diverse. Mild cases may include fatigue, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, anxiety, insomnia, memory loss, poor concentration, pale skin... Severe cases may include dizziness, lightheadedness, cold sweats, fainting...

Prolonged illness can lead to cerebral circulatory insufficiency, nervous breakdown, coronary artery insufficiency causing angina, and even cerebral infarction... which is very dangerous to life if not prevented and treated promptly.

When low blood pressure occurs, blood pressure must be quickly brought back to normal values, then maintenance treatment is needed to avoid recurrence. There are many different methods to treat low blood pressure, which can be treated with Eastern or Western medicine.

In principle, it is necessary to thoroughly treat the cause and treat comprehensively and persistently. For acute secondary low blood pressure, it is necessary to use Western medicine, Eastern medicine only has a supportive role. For primary low blood pressure and chronic secondary low blood pressure, a combination of Eastern and Western medicine should be used.

Oriental medicine measures are divided into two groups: medicinal and non-medicinal.

The non-drug group includes measures such as adopting a reasonable lifestyle, avoiding stress, ensuring appropriate working and resting hours, having a full and balanced diet, being able to eat a little salty food, drinking enough water, actively exercising, practicing physical exercises, qigong, massage, acupressure, acupuncture...

The group of drugs includes dialectical treatment (prescribing according to each disease) or dialectical treatment (prescribing in general for all diseases)...

Tea and coffee also have the effect of raising blood pressure - Illustration photo

How to properly treat hypotension?

Uncle Doctor Quach Tuan Vinh, former head of the military medicine department of the General Department of Politics, emphasized that treating low blood pressure plays an important role in saving patients and preventing complications.

Symptoms of sudden hypotension are: sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, sweating, and even fainting if severe... Depending on the patient's condition, there are appropriate home treatments.

- With hypotension: Immediately have the patient lie down with the head low and feet elevated to increase blood flow to nourish the brain. Keep warm with a warm blanket, a hot compress or soak the feet in hot water to keep the person warm. Drink hot sweet tea, suck on ginseng... Use the blood pressure medication you are taking as prescribed by your doctor.

- When the patient faints : Let the patient lie down with the head low and the legs high to increase blood flow to the brain. Use available tools such as a sharp toothpick, ballpoint pen... to strongly stimulate the Nhan Trung point located at the upper 1/3 of the Nhan Trung groove. Usually the patient wakes up quickly after stimulation of the point.

Control low blood pressure without medication: Do not change position suddenly from sitting or lying to standing; Do not use a high pillow when sleeping. Need to sleep well, about 9 to 10 hours/day. Relatives should know this to avoid suppressing the sleep of people with low blood pressure.

- Know how to wake up properly . Because when sleeping, blood will concentrate in the stomach area (liver, lungs, spleen), causing temporary cerebral ischemia. If a person with low blood pressure wakes up suddenly, they may faint (unconscious).

When you wake up, you need to lie down for a while, do some simple exercises (move the joints of your limbs), then sit up, when you stand up, you should sit in a chair and stand for a short distance.

You should lie down with your head low when you have signs of dizziness, fatigue, or drowsiness to increase blood flow to the brain.

Exercise is very beneficial for people with low blood pressure, walking, swimming, sports games that are not too strenuous are all good. Many pathological phenomena will disappear after a period of practice. Moderate physical activity, regular exercise by walking 1 to 3 km every day.

Do not climb high, avoid the harsh sunlight or go out when it is cold, especially late at night, without wearing enough warm clothes.

Blood pressure can increase after drinking coffee. Therefore, a cup of coffee with one or two slices of bread with butter or formate is an effective treatment for people with low blood pressure.

Drinking strong green tea is also very beneficial and don't forget to eat 3 to 4 meals a day, choose foods rich in protein such as lean meat, fish, shrimp...

People with low blood pressure should not eat too much nutritious foods such as eggs, fatty meat, and full-fat milk and need to be patient in treatment.

Be careful when taking saunas, hot baths... to avoid the risk of dehydration, vasodilation and low blood pressure.

Be careful when using medication, especially diuretics. Use as prescribed by your doctor. If necessary, consult your doctor to avoid side effects.

- Blood pressure should be checked regularly because low blood pressure can become high blood pressure after the age of 50.

How to prevent low blood pressure

To prevent and treat low blood pressure, patients must have an optimistic and cheerful mental life, exercise regularly, follow a reasonable diet, should not skip meals because fasting will cause low blood pressure due to hypoglycemia, get enough sleep and avoid stressful work.

It is important to "listen to your body". If you see signs of low blood pressure, you should go to a medical facility to have your blood pressure measured accurately.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xu-tri-dung-con-tut-huyet-ap-tai-nha-de-phong-ngua-tai-bien-20240923221125644.htm