Arya WangAny surgery comes with the potential for certain risks, even if it’s a routine procedure. A change in your blood pressure is one such risk.
The American Heart Association states that a normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mmHg.
Low blood pressure can be defined as any reading under 90/60 mmHg, but it can vary from person to person and situation to situation.
For many reasons, your blood pressure may fall during or after surgery.
Reasons for Low Blood Pressure After Surgery
Anesthesia
Your blood pressure may be impacted by anesthetic medications, which are used to put you to sleep during surgery. During the process of putting you to sleep and after you stop taking the drugs, changes can take place.
Anesthesia can cause a substantial drop in blood pressure in some people. In this situation, medical professionals will keep a close eye on you and administer medication via IV to help your blood pressure return to normal.
Hypovolemic Shock
When you experience severe blood or fluid loss, your body experiences hypovolemic shock.
Blood pressure falls when there is a significant loss of blood, which can occur during surgery. Less blood means the body can’t move it as easily to the organs it needs to reach.
You will receive hospital treatment because shock is an emergency. The purpose of treatment is to attempt blood and fluid restoration before harm is done to your vital organs, particularly the kidneys and heart.
Septic Shock
Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of getting a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Small blood vessel walls become permeable, allowing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues.
Critically low blood pressure is one of the signs of septic shock, a severe complication of sepsis.
If you are recovering from surgery in the hospital, you are more susceptible to these infections. In a hospital, sepsis is treated with antibiotics, additional fluids, and observation.
You might be prescribed drugs referred to as vasopressors to treat low blood pressure. This help tighten your blood vessels to increase blood pressure.
Types of Low Blood Pressure
Orthostatic Hypotension (postural Hypotension).
When getting up from a sitting or lying down position, your blood pressure drops suddenly. Dehydration, prolonged bed rest, pregnancy, particular medical conditions, and some medications are some of the causes. Older adults frequently experience this kind of low blood pressure.
Postprandial Hypotension.
One to two hours after eating, this drop in blood pressure occurs. Older adults are most likely to be affected, especially if they have high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms may be lessened by consuming more water, eating small, low-carb meals, and abstaining from alcohol.
Neurally Mediated Hypotension.
This blood pressure drop occurs as a result of prolonged standing. Young adults and children are most commonly impacted by this type of low blood pressure. It could be caused by a breakdown in brain-heart communication.
Multiple System Atrophy With Orthostatic Hypotension.
This uncommon condition, also known as Shy-Drager syndrome, affects the nervous system that regulates involuntary processes like blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and digestion. It is related to having extremely high blood pressure while lying down.
At-home Treatment
Stand Up Slowly
Spend some time stretching and moving before standing. This will help get the blood flowing in your body.
Stay Away from Caffeine and Alcohol
Both may result in dehydration.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals
Some people experience low blood pressure after eating, and smaller meals help reduce your risk.
Drink More Fluids
Preventing low blood pressure is made easier by staying hydrated.
Eat More Salt
Your doctor may recommend upping your salt by adding more to foods or taking salt tablets if your levels are off. Ask your doctor before you begin adding salt. Only follow your doctor’s recommendations if you choose to use this type of treatment.
Should You Worry?
You run the risk of damaging important organs like your heart and brain from a lack of oxygen if your blood pressure is extremely low.
Low numbers at this level are more likely to happen while you’re being treated in the hospital for emergencies like blood loss or a heart attack.
Low blood pressure is usually treatable without any intervention, though.
Precaution should always be taken. If you’re concerned about ongoing low blood pressure, you should see your doctor, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms, including:
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• blurry vision
• nausea
• dehydration
• cold clammy skin
• fainting
If another health issue is present or if you need to add or change medications, your doctor will be able to let you know.
Conclusion
Most healthcare providers consider blood pressure to be too low only if it causes symptoms. Numerous factors, including overexposure to the sun or prolonged use of hot tubs, can result in occasional mild dizziness or lightheadedness. For an accurate diagnosis, it’s crucial to see a healthcare professional.
If you have consistently low blood pressure readings but feel fine, your provider may just monitor you during routine health checkups. Keeping track of your symptoms, their occurrences, and your activities at the time can be beneficial.
