Conditions and symptoms
What Is Hypotension? Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension · say it: hy-po-TEN-shunAlso written: low blood pressure, hypotensive
Short answer
Hypotension means low blood pressure. It can cause dizziness or fainting, and some medicines can lower blood pressure too far.
What it means
Hypotension is the medical word for low blood pressure. Some people naturally have low blood pressure and feel fine. In others it can cause dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision, tiredness or fainting, especially when standing up. Very low blood pressure with confusion, cold clammy skin or fainting needs urgent medical help.
Many medicine labels list hypotension because the medicine lowers blood pressure on purpose (like blood pressure medicines) or as a side effect (like some medicines for prostate, mood or erectile problems). The warning is telling you to stand up slowly, watch for dizziness, and be careful when combining medicines that lower blood pressure.
Hypotension (low) is the opposite of hypertension (high). Orthostatic hypotension is a specific type that happens when standing up.
Where you may see it
- Leaflets for blood pressure, prostate and erectile dysfunction medicines
- Anaesthetic and hospital observation notes
- Discharge summaries
📄 How it looks on a report
Symptomatic hypotension may occur, particularly in volume-depleted patients.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Low blood pressure is not always a problem; it depends on whether it causes symptoms.
- It does not mean you should stop a blood pressure medicine on your own if you feel dizzy; contact your doctor.
- It is not the same as fainting, though it can cause it.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Hypotension”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Hypotension”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Albuterol
A bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) of the beta-2 adrenergic type. The FDA class is not listed, so this description comes from the label's own wording.
- Alprazolam
a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system medicine
- Amitriptyline
An antidepressant of the tricyclic type
- Amlodipine
a calcium channel blocker, a type of medicine that relaxes blood vessels
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium
A penicillin-class antibacterial combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor, as the label describes it
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Atenolol
a beta-blocker (beta-adrenergic blocker). The label describes it as a beta 1-selective, or cardioselective, blocking agent.
- Bisoprolol Fumarate
a beta-blocker, which the label describes as a synthetic, beta 1-selective (cardioselective) adrenoceptor blocking agent
- Carvedilol
A beta-blocker. The FDA lists it as both an alpha-adrenergic blocker and a beta-adrenergic blocker.
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Hypotension” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “hypotension”
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.