Anyone manage to improve low blood pressure?

[Bex77665]

I’ve been having horrible lightheaded spells and feeling really weak especially in the afternoons. I’ve been tinder a cardiologist, had treadmill test and 24 hour heart rate and blood pressure monitors. Heart rate fine. Blood pressure very low (and it’s always been normal). Treadmill test showed my heart rate went up quickly and took a long time to come down, it stayed at 160 for ages while I was sat down. I do think this was anxiety from watching the monitors though and also I knew the exercise makes me feel bad so think I was worried.

im waiting on test for POTS but I’m really hoping it’s just low blood pressure. I’ve been vegan since my second child was born 2 years ago due to her allergies and don’t think I’ve done it very well as we’re both anaemic.

doctor told me drink loads of water and eat more salt. I’ve been doing this a few days and symptoms aren’t improving. Does it take a while for the salt to help raise your BP? I feel pretty much normal in the mornings but the afternoons I can barely stand up, I’ve got two toddlers and having to only do sit down activities in the afternoon. Darent even take them out on my own and it’s getting me down so much

The salt takes a few weeks to take effect. Would you consider altering your vegan diet because it's obviously not doing you a lot of good. Could you afford to consult a nutritionist at all?

Ah really? I did wonder about the salt / whether it was instant so that’s reassuring. I’ve already dropped the vegan diet and started eating cheese, egg and fish this week. I know potentially vegan can be healthy but I’ve clearly not been doing it right …

I was put on a high salt diet in the 80s it made no difference to my blood pressure
it's good that you've had tests my gp just shrugged and said low blood pressure isn't a thing

@Romeo did you have symptoms from your low Bp / find anything else that helped?

Good advice to stay well hydrated. Look up the right amount of daily fluid intake depending on your weight and height. People don't realise that too much fluid is as dangerous as too little.

Salt intake - don't go OTT on it, it isn't very good to take too much salt, just increase it a little, maybe eating some olives and other healthy foods with salt in them. Even a small bowl of breakfast cereal like special K can give you a salt boost.

The GP told my Dad to up his salt intake aswell as his water intake and to drink the odd coffee as it helps low BP.

It's only been a few days so we aren't seeing any benefits yet but keeping an eye on this thread to get any other tips.

Difficult to tell as I have ME & Fibromyalgia as well

But I wonder if it's more than just low BP in a way - but its been life long and I'm in my 50s

GP message me this week saying with my weight and medication they are very worried about my high blood pressure come and get it checked immediately....112/61

I have low BP. I was tested for POTS but negative. I have 2 separate heart conditions (SVT + LQTS) but not caused by low BP although the low BP can make me have tachycardia / SVT

Ask your GP / cardio for midodrine, it's a medication used for low blood pressure. I took it for a while but had to stop when my other heart conds were found. It helped though with no side effects.

Compression stockings, or even tight fitting (waist high) leggings help. Coffee / caffeine helps for immediate BP, but I can't drink it due to the SVT. Salt helps.
Drink, drink, and drink even more. Drink lots.
Take b12 supplements
Take iron

My average BP this week is 92/62

It goes lower often too.
I'm 29, slim build for reference.

It's shit, but the things above really helped me!

Also, if you can, change your diet. If you and your little one are anaemic, if she's of age, she may well have grown out of her allergies (my DD did) but I'd suggest seeing a nutritionist first.

How much salt?

I was told to drink 3l of water a day, loaded towards the morning AND have 2 teaspoons of salt first thing, not just adding a bit more salt to my diet. After a while you get used to the revolting taste.

Difference was dramatic and essentially immediate.

Doesn't work on a v hot day though, I'll still be fainting.

Salt intake - don't go OTT on it, it isn't very good to take too much salt

Literally the first question from my cardiologist was 'Do you think salt is bad for you?'

I then got a lesson in how this did not apply to me with the low BP and fainting attacks.