February 15, 2023 – If you're recovering from COVID-19 or have a long COVID Patient, your doctor could have advised you to watch yourself for hypertension. That's because Research has shown that COVID can increase each systolic and diastolic blood pressure, causing hypertension even for those who've never had it before. However, those recovering from the virus must also concentrate on a lesser-known problem: low blood pressure after COVID.
Italian researchers found that some patients who have already got hypertension and have either recovered from COVID or are experiencing post-COVID symptoms may experience a sudden drop in blood pressure. These patients are at immediate risk of experiencing acute kidney failure, which is when the kidneys suddenly stop working properly. Anyone can have low blood pressure after COVID, but in response to Data from Mayo ClinicWomen usually tend to get sick than men. Researchers from the Czech Republic It has also been found that elderly, frail post-COVID patients that suffer from hypertension may experience low blood pressure, possibly because blood pressure medications suddenly grow to be too strong for his or her bodies.
While it's value continuing to take careful care of your health after being infected with the virus, it's vital not to fret about the potential for low blood pressure after COVID.
“Most causes of low blood pressure have nothing to do with COVID-19 disease,” says Emily Lau, MD, MPH, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an assistant professor of drugs at Harvard University.
What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure is a reading below 90 over 60. If your blood pressure falls below these values, American Heart Association signifies that it's possible you'll experience the next symptoms:
- dizziness
- Feeling drained
- Dizziness
- powerlessness
- Blurred vision
- Feeling thirsty
- Rapid respiration
- Skin that feels cold and moist
- Feeling depressed
What is the connection between COVID and low blood pressure?
Doctors are still researching the results of COVID on our bodies, so there are several possibilities.
“One of the biggest challenges in dealing with Long COVID is that a specific symptom or syndrome is just the tip of the iceberg,” says Austin Chan, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. “Each patient may have a different biological mechanism leading to a similar symptom. Maintaining your blood pressure is the result of several different neurological and endocrine systems working together. The problem could be coming from any of these sources.”
And how COVID “behaves” within the body is one other factor that would explain the connection.
“Whether the acute phase of COVID is related to direct effects of the virus on the body or causes changes in organ balance is something we are still trying to understand,” explains Lau. “We are still in the process of understanding the virus, but we see that it seems to have a preference for certain organ systems in the body.”
One possible reason for low blood pressure on account of COVID is autonomic dysfunctionThis problem occurs when your autonomic nervous system, which controls body functions comparable to blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and digestion, becomes unbalanced. Research has suggested that COVID affects the immune response of the autonomic nervous system and this will result in diseases comparable to orthostatic hypotension – a drop in blood pressure when getting up from a sitting or lying down position.
The COVID virus itself can even cause your blood pressure to drop on account of fever and infection. This drop in blood pressure can put a strain in your heart, and if you may have COVID-related respiration problems, increased oxygen demand can worsen heart damage, so Data from Harvard Medical SchoolLow blood pressure accompanied by shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat will also be an indication of COVID pneumonia.
When do you have to measure your blood pressure at home?
It will not be mandatory to measure your blood pressure too ceaselessly.
“I think it's all about balance,” says Lau. “I don't want my patients to take their blood pressure 10 times a day. There's no reason to stress out like that, because it's normal for blood pressure to change often.”
However, in case your doctor thinks it is sensible to examine your blood pressure at home, do it the precise way or normally just once a day.
“Keep a log that you share with your GP [doctor],” says Chan. And be prepared to potentially see different results.
“Long-term COVID can cause low blood pressure only at certain times, so measurements taken while resting or sitting may only provide part of the picture,” says Chan. Regular check-ups along with your doctor can provide a more complete picture of any medical problems related to your low blood pressure.
Treatment Measures for low blood pressure may include taking a brand new medication or adjusting the medications you're already taking, wearing compression stockings, trying a brand new way of getting up from a sitting or lying position, or just drinking more fluids.
When is low blood pressure a medical emergency?
It is rare for low blood pressure to be life-threatening. But it can be crucial to go to the emergency room for those who get a really low reading with symptoms of low blood pressure. Because you would like enough blood to reach your organs in order that they get the oxygen they need. A reading that will not be very low but is accompanied by symptoms must also not be ignored.
“If you experience a change in your blood pressure along with dizziness, unsteadiness or fainting, be sure to tell your doctor,” advises Lau.
If you concentrate on taking excellent care of yourself during COVID or long COVID, that's all the time best. That means not only following your doctor's advice about your blood pressure, but additionally eating well, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress.
“Recovering from COVID is an incredibly challenging time for many people,” Chan says.
This knowledge can provide you with a way of control over your health and enable you to feel higher each physically and emotionally.