Causes of hypotension

1. Hypovolemia: Hemorrhage, blood loss, insufficient fluid intake- as in starvation, excessive fluid losses from diarrhea or vomiting, excessive use of diuretics etc.



2. Decreased cardiac output: despite normal blood volume, due to severe congestive heart failure, large myocardial infarction, or bradycardia, Beta blockers can cause hypotension



3. Excessive vasodilation: or insufficient constriction of the resistance blood vessels; arterioles, causes hypotension. Excessive vasodilation can also result from sepsis, acidosis, or medications, such as nitrate preparations, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors. Spinal anesthesia and most inhalational agents



4. Others causes: adrenal insufficiency, pregnancy, prolonged bed rest, poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, blood transfusion reactions etc.

Category: Medicine Notes