Low Blood Pressure Symptoms: Low blood pressure (hypotension) is defined as having a systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure below 60 mmHg. Low blood pressure (hypotension) occurs when the amount of blood pumped out of the heart per minute is less than the amount of blood being taken into the body.
If left untreated, low blood pressure can cause serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and even death.
Hypotension occurs when the amount of blood pumped through the body per heartbeat falls below normal levels. In adults, hypotension is usually caused by dehydration, excessive salt intake, decreased circulating volume due to bleeding, or medication side effects.
The most common cause of hypotension is dehydration.
Other causes include decreased salt intake, increased sodium loss due to sweating, certain medications, and kidney disease.
Hypotension may be mild or severe:
- Mild hypotension usually does not require treatment unless symptoms occur.
- Low blood pressure symptoms include dizziness, fainting, weakness, headache, confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and cold/clammy skin.
Low Blood Pressure Symptoms
The most common cause of hypotension is dehydration.
Other causes include decreased salt intake, increased sodium loss due to sweating, certain medications, and kidney disease.
Hypotension may be mild or severe:
- Mild hypotension usually does not require treatment unless symptoms occur.
- Low blood pressure symptoms include dizziness, fainting, weakness, headache, confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and cold/clammy skin.
What To Eat To Help Raise Low Blood Pressure
- The best way to treat hypotension is to drink more water and increase salt intake.
- Avoid caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate, and energy drinks. These substances dehydrate the body and increase blood pressure.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
When you’re dehydrated, your blood volume is reduced, which causes your blood pressure to decrease. Most doctors recommend drinking at least two liters (roughly eight glasses) of water every day. Your water intake should be higher in hot weather or while exercising.
Eat Salty Foods
Foods with high salt content can elevate your blood pressure. Good sources of salt include olives, cottage cheese, Olives, Anchovies, Cottage cheese, Canned soup, Canned tuna, Crackers, Fish and canned soup or tuna. You can also add table salt or sea salt to your meals, depending on your preference.
Foods That Contain Caffeine
Beverages like coffee and caffeinated tea cause an increase in heart rate and a temporary spike in blood pressure. This effect is usually short-term, and caffeine intake does not affect everybody’s blood pressure the same way. Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, Chocolate
Foods Rich in Folate (Vitamin B9)
Folate (also known as Vitamin B9) is another essential vitamin found in foods such as Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Spinach, Leafy greens, Oranges, Orange juice, Nuts, Legumes such as lentils and chickpeas. A folate deficiency can have many of the same symptoms as a Vitamin B12 deficiency, causing anemia which leads to lower blood pressure.
Foods Rich in Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps produce healthy red blood cells and also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak. Some foods rich in vitamin B12 include: Eggs, Chicken, Low-fat dairy products, Fish like salmon and tuna
What to Avoid for Low Blood Pressure
When it comes to food and lower blood pressure, rapidly digested carbohydrates can lead to sudden drops, so it’s recommended to limit or avoid foods like:
Source & Credits:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure
New York City’s Leading Cardiologists
Certain thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can be associated with higher risk of hypertension