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The causes of low blood pressure (hypotension) are not always clear. It may be associated with one or more of the following:
- Wide, dilated blood vessels (as opposed to those that are blocked, narrowed or constricted)
- Weakened heart contraction
- Obstructed blood flow due to defective heart valves or other causes
- Overdose of drugs taken to control high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Side effects of other prescription or over–the–counter medications, especially when the patient is also taking antihypertensives
- Pregnancy
- Endocrine disorders such as underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or adrenal insufficiency, such as Addison disease
- Heat stroke or heat exhaustion
- Various types of heart disease (e.g., heart failure, atrial fibrillation or bradycardia)
- Various types of liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis or liver cancer)
- Crash or fad diets
- Anemia (due to bleeding, lack of iron, folic acid or vitamin B-12)
People may also experience sudden and life-threatening drops in blood pressure (shock). Shock with a corresponding drop in blood oxygen supply will compromise normal body functions such as breathing, circulation, brain function and movement. Rapid drops in blood pressure that could be life-threatening can result from:
- Loss of blood or blood volume (e.g., due to hemorrhage or internal bleeding)
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- High body temperature (hyperthermia), perhaps due to unusually hot weather
- Severe allergic reaction to an injected substance (e.g., a bee sting)
- Reaction to a medication, under certain circumstances
- heart disease, or cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Endocrine disorders
- Severe dehydration
- Severe blood infection (sepsis)
Individuals may also experience sudden drops in blood pressure that are not life-threatening. These drops may be due to the following:
- A particularly heavy menstrual period
- Unusually hot weather
- Mild to moderate dehydration
- Too much time in the sun, in a hot tub or in a sauna
- Sudden emotional shock
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