Diagnosis
Measuring the pulse is relatively simple. You feel the pulse at an artery, usually below the ball of the thumb on the wrist. By counting the beats within a period of time, the number of beats per minute can be calculated.
Measuring blood pressure is somewhat more complicated and is possible with a pressure cuff. Nowadays there is a wide range of fully automatic blood pressure monitors available. It is best to determine blood pressure and pulse over several days and at different times.
This gives you a better overview. In addition, there are a number of different tests that can help with the diagnosis. These include measurements
- In peace after waking up
- During excitement or other emotional events
- At the transition from lying to standing There is a clinical test that deals with this.
Treatment of low blood pressure and pulse
Neither low blood pressure nor a low pulse rate are necessarily in need of treatment. A low blood pressure probably even increases life expectancy, as the vascular system is spared. However, a distinction is made between low blood pressure or pulse due to another disease and so-called essential low blood pressure.
It is important to make sure that you have a sufficient fluid intake. Salt plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. Therefore, it is important to ensure a sufficient intake of salt through food.
Physical exercise can help to improve low blood pressure. Baths such as Kneipp cures can also possibly have a positive effect on blood pressure. If such measures do not help, a drug therapy by a doctor may have to be considered.
- If a disease is present which has been identified as the cause of low blood pressure or pulse, it should be treated by a doctor. By treating the underlying disease, blood pressure and pulse should return to normal.
- The situation is different with the so-called essential low blood pressure. This is probably due to a combination of predisposition and lifestyle. It occurs more frequently in young people. In this case, lifestyle changes are usually enough to normalize blood pressure and pulse.
All articles in this series:
