Blood pressure fluctuations
Blood pressure fluctuations during the day are absolutely normal. Blood pressure also depends on age, weight, gender, daily routine, diet and time of day. Fluctuations in blood pressure can also result from physical or mental stress, which usually normalizes itself. If the blood pressure measurements show abnormal values over the long term, the cause of this should be clarified by a doctor.
What are blood pressure fluctuations?
There are rough standard values for blood pressure for every age. The systolic blood pressure in adults should be 120 to 129 mmHg and diastolic 80 to 84 mmHg. These values often increase with age without necessarily being of concern. Nevertheless, regular self-measurement is advisable. Blood pressure is also dependent on various factors and is therefore an individually fluctuating value.
Pathological blood pressure fluctuations are referred to either as hypotension, a permanently low blood pressure, or hypertension, a permanently high blood pressure. These blood pressure fluctuations are diagnosed based on the systolic value, because the supply of the organs depends on it. Permanently too low and above all too high blood pressure can be a symptom of various diseases and pose a health risk. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor in the event of long-term fluctuations in blood pressure.
Causes
With blood pressure fluctuations, a distinction must be made between a sudden, disproportionate increase in blood pressure and a drop in blood pressure. The following factors lead to an increase in blood pressure:
- 1. Physical stress
For example, blood pressure increases significantly during physical exertion, which is natural. However, maximum values must not be exceeded, otherwise health risks such as a heart attack, brain damage, pulmonary edema or aortic rupture cannot be ruled out. Therefore, when blood pressure rises dramatically, the body sends signals to the heart or other organs to adjust blood pressure. However, this system can be impaired, so that the fluctuations in blood pressure can become dangerous.
- 2. Stress
Many people also react to acute stress or mental stress with high blood pressure. It can start suddenly, but it can also last for a long time.
- 3. Caffeine
Caffeine also leads to blood pressure fluctuations or an increase in blood pressure, as it stimulates the circulation.
- 4. Sudden increase in blood pressure
Another reason is the hypertensive crisis, a dysregulation of blood pressure that can lead to an increase in blood pressure of over 220/120 mmHg. The causes of this can be, for example, a panic attack, kidney disease or the wrong dosage of medication. In the worst case, the hypertensive crisis is life-threatening and therefore requires a medical evaluation.
- 5. Sudden drop in blood pressure
The sudden drop in blood pressure usually results from diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as cardiac insufficiency, disrupted hormone metabolism, for example due to hypothyroidism, while hyperfunction leads to an increase in blood pressure, and the use of certain medications. Blood pressure naturally drops for a short time when you get up from a lying position, but then returns to normal immediately. The situation is different if the body’s automatic self-regulation is disturbed.
Diseases
- Hypovolemic Shock
- cardiogenic shock
When to the doctor?
Slight fluctuations in blood pressure throughout the day are considered normal. A doctor’s visit is not necessary. Blood pressure fluctuates depending on diet, exercise and daily routine. If no stress is felt or no other symptoms occur, there is no need to see a doctor.
Problems arise when blood pressure fluctuates sharply. In addition to noticeable physical and cognitive differences in performance, there are mood swings or irritability. Interpersonal contacts can be stressed, as there are often quarrels, choleric outbursts and a little later melancholic behavior combined with crying. In these cases, a doctor should be consulted so that the fluctuations can be better compensated. If the affected person finds that the blood pressure fluctuations are triggered by the consumption of caffeine-containing foods, he can regulate the fluctuations independently and without a doctor.
If the blood pressure fluctuations lead to sudden aggressive behavior, it is highly advisable to consult a doctor. Unfortunately, it is part of the clinical picture that the recommendations are often ignored. Therefore, the affected person should be made aware of the organic consequential damage with the life-threatening risk of a heart attack or stroke. A sudden drop in blood pressure can cause serious problems in everyday life. Feelings of weakness can lead to accidents that pose a danger not only to those affected.
Diagnosis and course
Anyone who is prone to fluctuating blood pressure should measure their blood pressure regularly and ideally keep a blood pressure diary. In the case of longer-lasting abnormalities, it is advisable to consult a doctor who will take several measurements of the blood pressure. In a detailed anamnesis , the symptoms are reflected, taking into account the eating habits, the medication taken, risk factors, family history and psychological causes.
A long-term measurement of blood pressure over 24 hours, a stress ECG and a visit to a cardiologist can provide good information about any fluctuations in blood pressure. The recorded values of the measurement show how the blood pressure changes in different situations. The course of blood pressure fluctuations can be critical if timely treatment is not provided. In this case, there can be an undersupply of the organs, organ damage or even death.
Complications
The permeable blood supply that the healthy human organism naturally has is often impaired by external influences such as poor nutrition, bacterial infections or normal stress. Long-term high blood pressure can be life-threatening, apart from the consequences of incorrect drug treatment, since blood pressure also influences the blood-cleansing liver function.
Plenty of natural oxygen, exercise and a healthy diet in the right amount have a positive effect on stable blood pressure, which is subject to natural fluctuations depending on the day and situation. No less important, however, is a critical attitude towards all panaceas. Medicines often have undesirable side effects that can far outweigh the problem of a temporarily out of balance blood pressure.
When it comes to healthy eating, there are flawed assumptions. Too little attention is paid to the professional group of nutritionists. However, these can only provide the right information and help based on a correct blood count . The training units in sports should not overstrain the strength, but increase it slowly. Anyone who notices that their blood pressure quickly rises too high in stressful situations can give this stress a different rating with the help of counselors or therapists without losing the ability to act appropriately. Basically, an incorrect blood pressure can only be determined with several blood pressure measurements over a long period of time.
Treatment and therapy
There are various therapeutic options for blood pressure fluctuations to bring the blood pressure to a normal value. This applies to both a sudden drop and an acute rise in blood pressure. If the reason for a sudden drop in blood pressure is a volume deficiency shock, for example, holding your legs up is a suitable immediate measure. This allows the blood to flow more easily towards the heart. In emergency medicine, the blood volume is artificially increased, if necessary, by the infusion of volume substitutes, thus stabilizing the circulation.
In cardiogenic shock, the triggering heart disease must be treated. Antihistamines and other drugs are used in allergic shock, and circulatory stabilizing agents, infusions and drugs that fight the causative infection in septic shock. When high blood pressure suddenly rises or falls, it is lowered or raised with medication, but the possible causes must also be considered.
If the blood pressure fluctuations result from psychological stress, psychotherapeutic measures can help to avoid the symptoms. Low blood pressure does not always require treatment as it does not pose a threat to the body.
Outlook and prognosis
The so-called circadian rhythm indicates the normality of blood pressure fluctuations over the course of the day. Blood pressure measurements of a maximum of 139 mmHg systolic to 89 mmHg diasystolic are still considered normal with a tendency towards high blood pressure. The slight changes in blood pressure at midday and in the early evening are due to the more or less heavy digestion of food and the resulting consumption of blood sugar .
Blood that is too thick makes this nutrient conversion process more difficult, and the blood can be diluted in the long term with the right diet, plenty of drinking, exercise and fresh air, which can improve fluctuations. However, acute high blood pressure that fluctuates too much can be dangerous. Depending on how firm the vein walls are, they can be damaged if the blood pressure is too high. However, high blood pressure can be treated, which is why good prognosis can be promised with therapy.
Three important jugular veins, which are subject to slight signs of calcification due to age and diet, ensure that the blood flow to the brain is adequately regulated. If one of these blood streams is damaged, for example by improper massage or tension, the other two take over the extra work. Like a bulging sack, this increased need for blood supply causes the vein function to be overstrained. As more blood and nutrients are transferred per second, blood pressure then rises dangerously high. Vein wall measurement and a blood count can provide information about the need for action and thus provide a concrete prognosis.
Prevention
Due to the many different causes of blood pressure fluctuations, treatment is not always possible. But there are numerous measures that are helpful, such as a balanced and healthy diet that should not be too salty and regular physical exercise to achieve a normal blood pressure level.
When preventing or treating blood pressure fluctuations, it is also important to recognize how blood pressure can be positively influenced in the long term by changing your diet and lifestyle. This also includes abstaining from nicotine and alcohol , exercise, relaxation phases and a regular day-night rhythm.If your blood pressure is too high, weight loss is one of the most effective ways to permanently lower blood pressure. A vegetarian or at least low-meat diet also has a positive effect on blood pressure. Heart-stimulating substances such as caffeine should be avoided if blood pressure is too high. It is also advisable to strengthen the cardiovascular system with moderate physical training .
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.