Low blood pressure can occur suddenly as in the case of blood loss in a road accident of heavy internal bleeding such as from a bleeding stomach ulcer or bleeding haemorrhoids. An extra heavy period can produce a fainting episode as can a sudden emotional shock, whether good or bad. The sight of blood or a needle in the doctor’s surgery can produce a sudden drop in blood pressure.

A more gradual lowering of blood pressure is seen with severe illness and with prolonged convalescence.

Prolonged exposure to heat such as from lying in the hot sun or spending too long in hot spas of baths will dilate small blood vessels under the skin and divert blood from the main circulation, resulting in low blood pressure.

Over dosage with drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure can drop the pressure to levels associated with symptoms of low blood pressure.

Finally heart disease, which affects the efficiency of the heart as a pump, can be the cause of low blood pressure.

The treatment of low blood pressure consists of finding the cause and eliminating it. Heavy bleeding in acute cases has to be stopped. Drug dosage for high blood pressure should be carefully controlled by regular visits to your doctor. If there is no obvious cause, then graduated aerobic exercise can keep the blood pressure up to normal levels. Walking, jogging, swimming and bicycling can be a means of increasing blood pressure and maintaining a feeling of well being.