3. Heart attack
When the flow of blood to the heart becomes blocked, the result is a heart attack. Often, a blockage is the result of an accumulation of cholesterol or fat. These accumulated substances create plaque within the coronary arteries. Over time, the plaque breaks off and creates a clot that can interrupt blood flow and damage parts of the muscles within the heart.
Because the flow of blood to the heart is blocked, blood pressure can drop during a heart attack. There are a couple of factors that can contribute to hypotension during a heart attack.
For example, the heart may pump less blood, and therefore, lower levels of force are being placed against the artery walls. Heart attack-related hypotension may also be a response to pain. Or, heart attack-related hypotension can occur if your parasympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for your body’s resting state, becomes over-active.