Causes of a drop in blood pressure A temporary drop in blood pressure can be caused by different factors, including: Prolonged standing Extreme heat, which pushes blood away from the main circulatory system and into the vessels of the skin Emotional distress Severe pain The sight of blood The sight of a hypodermic needle Other events that a person may find distressing.
What to do if you feel faint If possible, lie down and elevate the feet. First aid and fainting First aid treatment for a person who has fainted includes: Help the person lie down. A person who has fainted in a chair should be helped to the ground. If the person is unconscious, roll them on their side. Check they are breathing and that they have a pulse. If the fainting episode was brought on by heat, remove or loosen clothes, and try to cool the person down by wiping them with a wet cloth or fanning them.
Assess the person for any potential injuries if they have fallen. In an emergency, always call triple zero for an ambulance if the person has not regained consciousness within a few seconds or recovered in a few minutes.
Hypotension and fainting Low blood pressure hypotension is a condition characterised by blood pressure that is lower than normal or usual for the person. Orthostatic hypotension Blood vessels respond to gravity by constricting tightening.
Causes of orthostatic hypotension include: Nervous system diseases, such as neuropathy Prolonged bed rest Dehydration Irregular heartbeat heart arrhythmia Changes in blood pressure medication.
Where to get help Your doctor In an emergency, always call triple zero Fainting: first aid , Mayo Clinic. More information here. Low Blood Pressure , Medical Online. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all blood and blood vessels. Related information. From other websites Active First Aid. Content disclaimer Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.
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Fainting is sudden brief loss of consciousness with falling down A return to being awake and alert happens within 1 minute Also called passing out or blacking out Fainting Basics Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. Normal awareness returns in less than 1 minute if the person is allowed to lie down. If standing, the person falls to the ground. If sitting, the person slumps over.
The medical name for fainting is syncope. Simple fainting doesn't occur before age 6. It is not common before age In older adults, serious causes are much more common. Cause of Simple Fainting: Decreased blood flow to the brain.
Risk Factors: mild dehydration, fasting, hot weather, lack of sleep, recent illness, change in altitude. Blood pressure can drop from dehydration , a quick change in position, standing or sitting still for a long period, or a sudden fear of something such as the sight of blood. Physical triggers. Getting too hot or being in a crowded, poorly ventilated setting are common causes of fainting.
Sometimes just standing for a very long time or getting up too fast after sitting or lying down can cause someone to faint. Emotional stress. Emotions like fright, pain, anxiety , or shock can cause blood pressure to drop. This is the reason why people faint when something frightens or horrifies them, like the sight of blood. A person who is hyperventilating is taking fast breaths.
Carbon dioxide CO2 levels in the blood falls, causing blood vessels to narrow. Blood flow to the brain decreases, making a person faint. Medical conditions. Conditions such as heart problems, anemia , low blood sugar , or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome POTS can cause fainting. During pregnancy, the body undergoes a lot of changes, including changes in the circulatory system. These may cause a woman to faint. And as the uterus grows, it can press on and partially block blood flow through large blood vessels, which can decrease blood supply to the brain.
If you've only fainted once, it was brief, and the reasons why are obvious like being in a hot, crowded setting , then there's usually no need to worry about it. But if you have a medical condition or are taking prescription medicines, it's a good idea to call your doctor.
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