What does hypotension mean?
Hypotension is the medical term for abnormally low blood pressure. A person with hypotension may feel dizzy, faint, tired, or unsteady, especially when moving suddenly from a sitting or lying position to standing. It can occur for several reasons, including dehydration, blood loss, certain medications, heart conditions, or a neurological disorder. The term is also used for a sudden fall in blood pressure, which may be a medical emergency when it causes shock or prevents vital organs from receiving enough blood. In everyday speech, people often say “low blood pressure” instead. Hypotension is the opposite of hypertension, the condition involving persistently elevated blood pressure. Although a modest difference between an individual’s readings and the standard range is not usually concerning, pronounced or symptomatic low blood pressure should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
nounAbnormally low blood pressure, especially when measured in the arteries. In medical contexts, the term may refer to a persistent condition or to a sudden drop in blood pressure associated with shock, bleeding, or dehydration.
- The medical condition of having abnormally low blood pressure.
- A sudden or temporary fall in blood pressure, especially when it causes dizziness, fainting, or shock.
"The patient developed postural hypotension after standing up too quickly."
"Severe hypotension required immediate treatment in the emergency department."
"Her medication was adjusted because it was causing episodes of hypotension."
Hypotension is normally used as an uncountable medical noun; plural forms are not standard.
"The report documented hypotension after the medication was introduced."
The word hypotension literally means “under-tension”: it describes a situation in which the pressure inside the arteries is unusually low.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hypotension come from?
Hypotension is formed from the Greek prefix hypo-, meaning “under” or “below,” and the Latin-derived term tension, referring to stretching or pressure. The medical use developed from the same Greek and Latin roots that underlie words such as hypertension and hypertonia. In this formation, “tension” refers to the pressure or tension within the arterial system rather than emotional tension.
How hypotension is actually used
This is primarily a medical term. In general conversation, “low blood pressure” is more accessible. The term can describe either a chronic condition or an acute drop in blood pressure, depending on context.