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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffLow blood pressure (hypotension) can occur in anyone, though certain types of low blood pressure are more common depending on your age or other factors:
- Age. Drops in blood pressure on standing or after eating occur primarily in adults older than 65. Orthostatic hypotension happens after standing up, while postprandial hypotension happens after eating a meal. Neurally mediated hypotension happens as a result of a miscommunication between the brain and heart. It primarily affects children and younger adults.
- Medications. People who take certain medications, such as high blood pressure medications like alpha blockers, have a greater risk of low blood pressure.
- Certain diseases. Parkinson's disease, diabetes and some heart conditions put you at a greater risk of developing low blood pressure.
References
- Hypotension. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/hyp/hyp_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Low blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3034848. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Kaufmann H, et al. Mechanisms, causes, and evaluation of orthostatic and postprandial hypotension. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Farrell TW. Orthostatic hypotension. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1117880449&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00024-X--s29185&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00024-X--s29185&uniqId=235487260-4. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- African-Americans with high blood pressure need treatment sooner, more aggressively, according to international medical group. American Heart Association. http://www.newsroom.heart.org/index.php?s=43&item=1128. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Kolodony L. Erectile dysfunction. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. 61st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1117886112&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00004-1--sc0065&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00004-1--s1015&uniqId=235487260-8. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
- Low PA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 16, 2011.
- Sheps SG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 16, 2011.
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