During a visit to the doctor, many patients hear that their diastolic pressure is low. But not all people understand what exactly such a diagnosis means. So how dangerous is this condition? Why is diastolic pressure low? What symptoms should you look out for? Is it possible to deal with the problem at home? Everyone should study the answers to these questions.
Low diastolic pressure: what does it mean and how dangerous?
Statistics show that this problem is quite common. Why is diastolic pressure low? We will consider the causes and symptoms later, but first we will deal with the very meaning of the term.
In medicine, blood pressure in the vessels is divided into upper and lower. Systolic (upper) is the pressure of blood that is ejected into the aorta at the time of contraction of the heart muscle. But diastolic (lower) - blood pressure in the hollowveins that carry it to the heart at the moment of complete relaxation of the myocardium.
Normally, the average blood pressure of a he althy person should be 120/80 mm Hg. Art. In this case, the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure should not exceed 30-40 mm Hg. Art. But sometimes patients have low diastolic pressure with increased systolic pressure. Why is this happening? How dangerous is it? What to do in such cases?
Low diastolic pressure? Causes and risk factors
You need to understand that any change in indicators (especially if it appears constantly) is extremely dangerous, because it makes the heart work in a different rhythm, which affects the state of almost all organ systems. Why is diastolic pressure low? Here are the most common reasons:
- The list of causes includes a decrease in the elasticity of blood vessels, as a result of which blood flow slows down.
- If diastolic pressure is low, this may indicate arrhythmias.
- Defects in the valves lead to the same result, as a result of which part of the blood at the moment of myocardial relaxation returns to the cavity of the heart. If there are birth defects, they are usually diagnosed during infancy.
- Risk factors include hormonal imbalance. Reduced diastolic pressure in a teenager may be the result of hormonal changes and rapid growth of the body. In adulthood, to changes in pressure indicatorslead to disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.
- Anemia is another possible cause.
- In addition, the risk factors include deficiency of B vitamins. This condition affects the functioning of the nervous system, in particular the vasomotor center.
- Low blood pressure may indicate the development of cancer. In particular, this symptom is accompanied by adrenal cancer.
- Anorexia, general exhaustion of the body is fraught with loss of body fluids and nutrients, which, of course, affects the functioning of the circulatory system.
- Pressure plummets amid severe poisoning and toxic juice.
- What does low diastolic pressure indicate? It is worth checking the work of the kidneys, because the work of the vessels and the heart largely depends on the functioning of the excretory system.
- Potentially dangerous is dehydration. Against the background of an acute fluid deficiency, the pressure drops.
- A sharp decrease in diastolic pressure sometimes manifests itself against the background of allergies, both mild, seasonal forms, and extremely dangerous anaphylactic shock.
- You should not discount the state of the human psyche, because emotions and feelings are directly related to hormonal balance. Depression, neurotic disorders, increased anxiety, phobias - all this can lead to a decrease in vascular tone, which, in turn, is accompanied by a decrease in pressure.
- If the diastolic pressure is low in an elderly patient, then this may be the result of a vascular patency progressingatherosclerosis or Alzheimer's disease.
- Internal bleeding is also a risk factor.
As you can see, the causes of the development of pathology are by no means harmless. That is why you should consult a doctor and undergo a complete diagnosis.
Main symptoms of pathology
Symptoms of low diastolic pressure can be different, and the intensity of their manifestation can also be different. The most common signs are:
- constant sleepiness, lethargy and fatigue even after a long night's rest;
- fatigue, which is associated with a noticeable decrease in performance;
- muscle weakness, rapid physical fatigue during movement;
- decrease or even disappearance of appetite;
- recurring nausea;
- increased heart rate;
- feeling of heaviness in the chest, recurrent pain in the heart area;
- susceptibility to changing weather;
- increased anxiety;
- emotional depression;
- frequent, lingering headaches;
- recurrent feeling of lack of air;
- "black flies" before the eyes;
- tinnitus;
- sudden bouts of weakness up to fainting.
Diagnostic measures
You already know what low diastolic pressure means and what symptoms accompany the condition. Exactlytherefore, if you feel unwell, you should consult a doctor. After a general examination, the specialist referred the patient for additional diagnostic procedures, including:
- echocardiography (if heart and valve defects are suspected);
- electrocardiography (helps detect abnormal heart rhythms);
- blood test (both general and biochemical);
- Thyroid ultrasound;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder;
- blood test for certain hormone levels;
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
What complications can low blood pressure lead to?
Do not ignore the problem, because if left untreated, the disease can lead to extremely dangerous complications. For example, the list of complications includes angina attacks, the development and / or rapid progression of coronary heart disease. The most dangerous consequences include strokes and heart attacks.
In old age, a chronic decrease in diastolic pressure is even more dangerous, because it can lead to severe cardiovascular diseases. Since the blood flow is disturbed, metabolic processes in the brain may be disturbed, which is fraught with neurological and psychological disorders, the development of dementia. Severe disturbances of consciousness are among the most dangerous complications. There are cases when the pathology for the patient ended in a coma.
What is the danger of lowering diagnostic pressure during pregnancy?
Unfortunately, many future mothers face a similar problem. And in this case, the situation is even more dangerous, because violations of diastolic pressure are fraught with complications not only for the mother's body, but also for the growing fetus. Due to the change in blood flow, blood circulation between the body of a woman and a child is disrupted, and the fetus receives oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream.
The list of dangerous consequences includes placental insufficiency, as well as various forms of fetal hypoxia. Oxygen deficiency is fraught with developmental disabilities. In addition, the new mother herself in the postpartum period may face complications, including dysfunction from various internal organs.
First Aid Rules
Low diastolic pressure? What to do in such cases? Since the causes of this condition can be very dangerous (internal bleeding, anaphylactic or toxic shock), it is better to call a doctor. The patient at this time should be comfortable to lay down, providing fresh air.
It is not recommended to take any pills. The fact is that drugs from a home medicine cabinet can either reduce or increase pressure, but at the same time both systolic and diastolic. If there are pains in the heart and tachycardia, then you can drink a tablet of Anaprilin or Nitroglycerin, but you should not use any other means - it is better to wait for a specialist.
Methods of drug therapy
What can a doctor recommend if a patient haslow diastolic pressure? Treatment in this case directly depends on the causes of the problem. As a rule, in such a situation, the patient requires complex therapy:
- First of all, patients are prescribed drugs that strengthen the vascular walls, improve blood circulation, and also prevent increased bleeding. Drugs such as Quercetin and Ascorutin are considered effective.
- "Vazobral" - another tool that can improve blood circulation. The drug reduces the permeability of the vascular wall, affects the level of erythrocyte aggregation, enhances metabolic processes in brain structures, and stimulates the vasomotor center. This drug should be used with caution as it contains caffeine, a substance known to cause increased arousal and sleep problems.
- The therapeutic complex also includes tonics, in particular, lemongrass seed tincture, preparations with ginseng. Eleutherococcus tincture is also effective, which stimulates the activity of nerve cells, protects them from negative factors, relieves or at least alleviates the symptoms of neurosis and overwork.
- If there is an astheno-neurotic syndrome, then nootropic drugs can be used. They normalize the emotional background, improve the psychological state, eliminate lethargy, improve blood circulation (in particular, in the vessels that carry blood to the brain), and increase efficiency. Effective and safe are tools such as Pantogam and Phenibut. Thesedrugs increase the stability of nerve tissues and oxygen deficiency, nourish and protect nerve cells, and normalize metabolic processes.
Remember that arbitrarily taking such drugs is strictly prohibited: the inept use of drugs can only aggravate the situation. The treatment regimen will be compiled by your attending physician, guided by the presence of certain symptoms, as well as the results of diagnostic procedures and tests.
Proper nutrition for hypotension
You already know why patients have low diastolic blood pressure. Causes and effects, effective therapies and symptoms are important information. To date, there is no special diet for people with a similar problem, but some rules should be followed.
Doctors recommend drinking more fluids, eating often, but in small portions, compiling a menu so that the body receives enough vitamins and minerals. Patients with low diastolic blood pressure are advised to include boiled potatoes (preferably in uniforms), nuts, baked or boiled fish, lean meats and poultry, liver, fresh juices, boiled vegetables, dark chocolate in the diet.
At the same time, beans and other legumes, garlic, spinach, milk (especially processed, fat-free), coconut oil and milk, s alt, turmeric, raw almonds, coffee and cocoa, fatty and fried dishes.
What can you do yourself?
You already know what causes low diastolic blood pressure. Treatment in this case lasts for several weeks, or even months, especially when it comes to chronic hypotension. Some things you can do yourself. As already mentioned, patients are advised to follow a certain diet, drink as much water as possible. There are a few more rules:
- For starters, you should give up bad habits. Both smoking and addiction to alcohol directly affect the tone of the vascular walls and the functioning of the cardiovascular system as a whole.
- It is very important to observe the correct mode of work and rest. The patient should sleep 7-9 hours a day. If you have problems with insomnia, then tell your doctor about it: he may prescribe you calming, relaxing teas or sedatives.
- Follow a rational work schedule. Everyone should have at least one day off per week. You should not overstrain either physically or mentally, you should not refuse lunch breaks, even if, in fact, you are not going to have lunch. If you work at a computer or, by virtue of your profession, are forced to spend most of the day in a sitting position, then once an hour take a five-minute break in order to walk, stretch your muscles, and activate blood circulation processes.
- Experts recommend engaging in feasible physical activity. It is possible that the patient is not able to chop wood or take an hour-long jog, but there is always at least some kind of sport that he can do. dancing, swimming,cycling, jogging, yoga, therapeutic exercises - any activity will positively affect the functioning of the body.
- A contrast shower has a positive effect on the work of the cardiovascular system and the body as a whole. This quick, affordable procedure helps activate blood circulation and tone the body. Naturally, it should be understood that water procedures that involve exposure to low temperatures on the body are contraindicated in inflammatory diseases, including colds, acute tonsillitis, cystitis, bronchitis, etc.
- Don't give up walking. In case of problems with pressure, it is recommended to spend at least two hours a day in the fresh air (if, of course, the weather permits). Take a walk after work, occasionally get out into nature, give up public transport if you can walk to the office/shop/home.
Of course, such activities will not help to cure pressure problems, but they are, without a doubt, an excellent prevention. In addition, a measured lifestyle increases the effectiveness of drug therapy and significantly speeds up the healing process. In any case, there will always be benefits from a he althy lifestyle.
Folk treatments
If diastolic pressure is low, you can try to bring it back to normal at home. There are a huge number of traditional medicine recipes, but we will consider the simplest and most harmless ones:
- Blackcurrant leaf tea is considered effective. It is prepared simply: a teaspoon of crushed dry leavesplants mix with the same amount of the usual black tea and pour a glass of hot water. Cover the mug and let the drink brew for 15 minutes. The resulting product must be filtered and drunk after eating.
- Chicory will also help. Two tablespoons of crushed plant roots pour 500 ml of water, bring to a boil, then keep on low heat for 30 minutes. After the broth has cooled, it must be filtered. It is recommended to take 1/3 cup three times a day. The course of treatment lasts no more than 3-4 weeks.
Despite the fact that these teas are safe, you should not use them without consulting a doctor in any case. Only a specialist after a thorough diagnosis will be able to understand why the diastolic pressure is lowered and what therapeutic methods it is advisable to use. It is strictly forbidden to use any means without the knowledge of the attending physician.
