Any tips on increasing blood pressure?

[Reenypip]

My blood pressure is almost low all the time now I'm pregnant (currently 24+2). And I'm sure that's one of the contributors to me being extremely dizzy, in turn increasing my nausea.

Any tips on how to increase my blood pressure to a more normal level?

[hazelnutlatte]

drink more fluids! Also get a blood test to see if you are anaemic as this could be behind your symptoms

[Reenypip]

I am anaemic, along with a lot of other health problems, and I know I need to drink more but I just can't physically drink enough, makes me sick :-(

[digerd]

There is nothing to increase low blood pressure and is seen as a good thing, unless you have lots of dizzyness especially when getting up after sitting down.
Pregnancy if anything should increase it slightly.
The drs advice of someone I knew - a young girl who fainted often - was to take more exercise to increase it, as there was nothing else could increase it.
How low is it? Do you also have a low pulse rate?

[drjohnsonscat]

I have low bp - usually around 100 over 70 ish but in pg it went down to 80 over 50 which was murder so you have my sympathy. I was told to boost fluids, cut caffeine and eat more salt.

[Reenypip]

In my pregnancy my heart seems to play up. Had SVT in last one. And so far, on a moniter I had, I've had below 50 pulse and a high pulse over 100.
My blood pressure has been as low as 74/48, and averaging about 80/50.

[Rache1S]

I am 18+2 and also have low blood pressure. I have naturally low BP when not PG and it hasn't got any lower (or higher), but I have found I am now very thirsty all the time (particularly for fizzy drinks) and craving salty foods, which I assume might be my body trying to raise my BP as I don't usually drink fizzy drinks and generally dislike salty food. I assume it's working as I haven't had any fainting or light-headedness.

[Jux]

Feel free to ignore this, or to flame me.

It is said that liquorice increases blood pressure. Don't get the rubbish from the sweet shop, but go to a health store and get the natural stuff - it comes in a brownish bag.

I am assuming that your bp is being checked fairly regularly. Keep an eye on it.

[topsi]

Low blood pressure can be increased with medication in severe cases but I would expect they wouldn't do anything in pregnancy.
Salt, caffine and fluids are helpful. You could try compression stockings which can stop blood pooling in the legs and therefore make more available to perfuse the brain.
Liquorice is a remedy for low adrenal function which can cause low blood pressure. I am not sure about in pregnancy though. You can buy it in capsules as well as eating it.

[digerd]

I didn't want to mention salt, as it's supposed to be unhealthy. My sil's dad had a "super cardio vascular system" - his drs words- but was advised to have lots of salt in his food as he got older to prevent any risk of insufficient blood getting to his brain. Despite Emphasyma and using oxygen tanks he got to be 90. Dr attributed his long life with his disease to his low blood pressure /super cardio vascular system - which SIL has inherited. She suffers no problems with it. 5foot and 11 stone to boot.