Hypotension is defined as a sustained low systemic blood pressure of 90mmhg (Systolic) over 60mmhg (diastolic) or less.
Hypotension is not considered to be a component of cardiometabolic disease, however may be a symptom of other structural or functional changes to the heart and blood vessels. These factors, along with kidney function, neurological conditions, effects of medications, shock, or loss of blood volume should be investigated before reaching a diagnosis of benign hypotension or low blood pressure without known cause.
Many people believe that having low blood pressure is healthy. Whilst in most people, hypotension is asymptomatic and therefore does not present any clinically significant risk to the patient, symptomatic presentations need to be carefully investigated to identify any underlying condition or systemic dysfunction that results in the low blood pressure reading.
Using the functional medicine approach, our practitioners can determine the cause of hypotension and resolve it using natural methods, so that health is restored.
In most people hypotension will be asymptomatic and will be an incidental finding during a routine medical examination. In a small number of people hypotension will be a symptom that develops as an effect of a more serious condition requiring medical attention.
A small number of people with hypotension will experience some mild to moderate signs and symptoms of low blood pressure which may include:
Like with hypertension, the gold standard for diagnosing hypotension is by 24hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, where an automatic digital blood pressure machine is fitted and worn by the person for 24hrs, during which time the machine measures blood pressure twice per hour during waking hours, and at least once per hour during the night. The mean wake and sleep blood pressures, along with a number of other blood pressure values are calculated to determine hypotension.
There are two parts to a blood pressure reading. The highest number, systolic blood pressure, is the maximum pressure created when the heart contracts. This can be felt as the pulse moving through an artery. The lower number, diastolic pressure, is the minimum pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. In a normalised, healthy population of people, blood pressure is around 120/80mmhg +/- ~20mmhg. The lower the resting blood pressure the better, as long as it does not become too low as to become symptomatic which is known as hypotension.
Research has found people with the ‘atopic triad’ have a defective barrier of the skin and upper and lower respiratory tracts.
These genetic alterations cause a loss of function of filaggrin (filament aggregating protein), which is a protein in the skin that normally breaks down to create natural moisturisation and protect the skin from penetration by pathogens and allergens.
Filaggrin mutations are found in approximately 30 percent of people with atopic dermatitis, and also predispose people to asthma, allergic rhinitis (hayfever), keratosis pilaris (dry rough patches and bumps on the skin), and ichthyosis vulgaris (a chronic condition which causes thick, dry, scaly skin.)If one parent carries this genetic alteration, there is a 50 percent chance their child will develop atopic symptoms. And that risk increases to 80 percent if both parents are affected.
Food hypersensitivity has been found to cause or exacerbate atopic dermatitis in 10-30% of cases, and 90% of these are caused by eggs, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat.
The connection between the gut microbiome and skin health is complex, however, research has found the microbiota contributes to the development, persistence, and severity of atopic dermatitis through immunologic, metabolic and neuroendocrine pathways.
Deficiency of Omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFA) has been linked with the increased incidence of atopic dermatitis, along with the inability for the body to efficiently metabolise EFA’s to gamma linoleic acids (GLA) and arachidonic acids (AA).
Changing weather conditions can certainly aggravate eczema symptoms, but the triggers are subject to change among individuals.
Mould exposure and susceptibility to mould can cause Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), of which dermatitis is a manifestation.
Excluding hypotension associated with significant medical concerns, hypotension has no specific known cause, and will usually be caused by systemic dysfunctions that impact one of the key regulatory mechanisms for blood pressure.
The key regulatory mechanisms are:
As benign hypotension has no specific know cause, conditions or dysfunctions that result in the following may need to be considered as risk factors for :
Whilst there are no universally accepted values for determining hypotension, it is most commonly accepted as being a systolic pressure of less than 90mmhg and a diastolic pressure of less than 60mmhg. In many cases, hypotension is diagnosed if a patient presents with the signs of symptoms of low blood pressure without any other identifiable cause.
In asymptomatic hypotension no treatment is generally recommended. In symptomatic patients, the treatment for low blood pressure will include investigating for a number of potentially serious underlying causes such as:
Our cardiometabolic practitioner Mark Payne thoroughly assesses patients with hypotension through an in depth case history and further functional tests where needed. This investigative approach helps to uncover the cause of hypotension to create a plan that will outline how to treat low blood pressure to bring it back into optimal ranges, and for symptoms to resolve.
Depending on the unique clinical presentation of each patient, functional testing may be required to explore underlying factors like nutrient imbalances, hormonal imbalances (thyroid, adrenals), nervous system health, and general pathology tests including cholesterol and fasting glucose. Referral to specialist services may also be required.
Low blood pressure specialist and functional medicine practitioner like Mark will create a personalised plan which may include:
And, to help you fast track getting well again, we give you the ongoing support and guidance of a health coach, who is there to help you achieve your goals with ease.
Are you ready for a personalised, natural functional medicine treatment? Our unique model of care was designed with you in mind. Find out how below, then book a call today.
Controlling hypotension first involves identifying what the cause of hypotension is. In some people, it can be addressed simply by ensuring adequate hydration and balancing electrolytes by having sufficient sodium intake from salty foods like olives and pickles or adding sea salt to foods.
In more complex cases, determining how to treat low blood pressure may require targeted interventions that seek to address the underlying dysfunction that results in hypotension, which is best directed by an experienced practitioner.
Very low blood pressure may be due to:
Here are some low blood pressure diet tips you can follow to help manage or prevent low blood pressure:
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