Arterial hypotension is a fairly common medical disorder due to several factors. It is important to know how to raise your blood pressure to prevent it from dropping to health-threatening levels, which could lead to dizziness or even fainting. You can make changes in your diet and lifestyle or consult your doctor for drug treatments; these are all useful methods of trying to keep blood pressure at a healthy level.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Changing Power
Step 1. Drink lots of water
High blood pressure can cause dehydration, so you can raise your blood pressure a little by increasing your water intake. Aim to drink at least 8-10 8-ounce glasses of water per day. You should drink more if that doesn't help, if you spend time outdoors, or if you are physically active.
Sports drinks containing electrolytes can also help raise blood pressure, but you should avoid those with a high sugar content
Step 2. Eat smaller meals more often
Eating little but often, rather than one or two large meals, can help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. Make sure these meals are healthy and low in carbohydrates.
If you eat carbohydrates, avoid processed ones like pasta and white bread. Instead, use complex carbohydrates, such as oats, wholemeal pasta, wholemeal bread, and rye
Step 3. Balance your diet
A key part of regulating blood pressure and improving overall health is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. This means eating lean meat and fish, whole grains and lots of fruits and vegetables.
Avoid processed foods that have undergone significant industrial transformation, as they are high in sugar and fat. While these products often contain high levels of sodium, they are not a healthy source of other nutrients
Step 4. Increase your intake of folate and vitamin B12
These vitamins help maintain healthy circulatory system function and consequently blood pressure. Fortified grains are a good option, as they also contain minerals. Some other sources of B12 include fish and dairy products, such as cheese, milk, and yogurt. Folate is found in dark green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach.
Step 5. Reduce your alcohol consumption
Alcohol promotes dehydration, even if it is taken in moderation. If you have low blood pressure problems, you should avoid drinking alcohol in any quantity.
Step 6. Consume caffeinated beverages
Caffeine constricts blood vessels, thereby raising blood pressure. Increasing your caffeine intake in moderate amounts can help restore blood pressure to normal levels.
Step 7. Try herbal remedies
There is no scientific evidence that herbs are effective in regulating blood pressure; however, there is anecdotal evidence to support some herbs that are able to reduce the effects of hypotension. These include ginger root, aniseed, rosemary, cinnamon and pepper. If you add these herbs to your diet, you can find some relief from your ailment.
- Ginger can actually lower blood pressure, so avoid using supplements that contain it if you already have low blood pressure.
- Cinnamon may lower the pressure. So avoid using supplements that contain it if you have low blood pressure.
- Pepper may also lower the pressure.
Part 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Change your posture slowly
To reduce the feeling of dizziness and lightheadedness associated with low blood pressure, you need to be slow in your movements. Pay particular attention especially when moving from a lying to sitting or sitting position to a standing position.
Step 2. Avoid crossing your legs when sitting
Crossing your legs can block circulation. If you want the blood to flow properly and healthily in your body, you need to sit with your legs comfortably at rest with your knees hip-width apart.
Step 3. Exercise regularly
A punctual physical exercise brings many benefits to health in general, but also promotes and regulates healthy blood circulation. Even a simple workout like a brisk 20-minute walk every day can help your mental and physical well-being.
Avoid exercises that involve heavy weight lifting if your blood pressure is not yet back to normal, as this could lead to muscle strains or injuries
Step 4. Put on the graduated compression stockings
These are often worn to try to reduce swelling and pooling of blood in the lower limbs and to improve circulation. Wearing low-compression stockings during normal daily activities will help regulate blood pressure by maintaining normal blood circulation in the veins.
Step 5. Avoid taking long, hot showers
Hot water when bathing or in spas can cause blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a reduction in pressure, which in turn can cause dizziness and fainting. You can solve this discomfort by taking lukewarm showers (rather than too hot) and avoiding going to spas or hot tubs. Also, a good idea would be to install a handrail or seat in the shower cubicle if you feel dizzy.
Part 3 of 3: Medical Care
Step 1. See your doctor if you have sudden changes in blood pressure
It can be a symptom of serious ailments, even quite serious ones, especially for those suffering from diabetes.
See your doctor even if it is the only symptom
Step 2. Ask to change medications or dosages
Some medicines have a lowering of blood pressure among their side effects. Talk to your doctor if you think one of the medications you are taking may be responsible for your drop in blood pressure or if a change in prescription will fix the problem.
Step 3. Undergo testing to determine your general health condition
High blood pressure could be a sign of another medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or a thyroid problem. See your doctor to assess these if your blood pressure is not normal even after changing your diet and lifestyle.
Step 4. Learn about medications that raise blood pressure
Fludrocortisone and midodrine are both drugs that can raise blood pressure. Ask your doctor if any of these are suitable for your specific situation.
Not being a cause for concern, low blood pressure medications are usually not prescribed unless there are other symptoms
Step 5. Learn to recognize dangerous symptoms
In general, low blood pressure is not an ailment to worry too much about. However, if it occurs along with other symptoms, you should see your doctor. If you have any of the following symptoms in addition to low blood pressure, see your doctor right away:
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Fainting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision;
- Nausea;
- Paleness and cold sweats;
- Labored breathing;
- Sense of fatigue;
- Depression;
- Thirst.
Warnings
- Always consult your doctor before stopping any drug therapy that has been prescribed for you or before taking any other over-the-counter medicines or dietary supplements, so you can be absolutely certain that no active ingredients will interact or cause side effects.
- Proceed with caution if you want to experiment with alternative treatments. Some people take herbal supplements or homeopathic remedies for low blood pressure, but you should seek advice from your healthcare provider before taking alternative medicines. Supplements such as ginger and ginseng should not be taken concurrently with certain prescription medications.
