What foods can I eat that are healthy and help increase blood pressure ??

[Ellamaee]

Sorry if this long , but last year I was diagnosed with orthorexia (obsession with eating nothing but healthy foods) although now this is slightly more controlled and can have a treat here and there now. But I used to eat chai seeds in porridge , pumpkin seeds , flaxseeds etc when now to my discovery , lowers your blood pressure and people with low blood pressure shouldn’t really eat them. I was wondering why my blood pressure wouldn’t increase ! Any way , I googled foods that are extremely healthy and full of beneficial nutrients but all of them seem to lower blood pressure ! Can I eat them still or do I just have to eat junk and salt forever 😭 please be nice

How low is your BP? Do you have debilitating symptoms?

It’s never really higher the 100s . It usually sits 92/59 or sometimes like today it’s 85/60. Dizziness and breathlessness has been a symptom since then ! Although the only thing that increases it is if I walk about then sit down , but it doesn’t take long before it drops again

No advice from me unfortunately, although I am interested to note that those foods are meant to lower blood pressure (useful for me).

It's probably best for you to take advice from a medical professional though if your blood pressure is worryingly low - especially in relation to your diagnosis.

And if you are having dizziness and breathlessness you absolutely should take advice from your GP.

It sounds like you may need medication .

Yeah the doctors don’t really seem concerned of my low blood pressure , when I walk in to the doctors room they take my blood pressure it’s usually perfect but then the longer I sit there and they take it again they can see the drop , but they don’t really seem concerned and just told me to eat more salt !

Yes i do plan on seeing the gp this week , but I don’t know if I have much hope ! They call it white coat syndrome my blood pressure is normal when walking in and some doctors don’t take it again so I’ve to show photos on my phone of my measurements at home

My doctor told me to drink more liquid and increase my salt. I got a water tracker app and did things like salting my salad. I didn’t just eat crisps.

I also focused on increasing my protein because past experience told me that would work well for my body.

All I drink is water but I don’t track so maybe not enough! I’m always cautious with salt as I’ve been told salts bad for the heart etc , it’s all so confusing

Are you sure you’re eating enough? Do you suffer from anxiety?

I definitely might not be eating enough as all the food I used to eat I’ve stopped as I’ve read that most of the foods lower blood pressure ; and I was really dizzy for weeks not knowing that the food I was eating lowers it , so I’m still eating but no idea if it’s enough !

And yes, I have an anxiety disorder unfortunately and ocd

I would start by making sure you’re getting enough calories and nutrition or you will feel dizzy and breathless. I think you’re over focussing on the low BP. If there was a magic set of foods that made blood pressure really low every doctor would prescribe them.

The foods you list are not going to be lowering your blood pressure. It’s just that they are good for people with higher blood pressure.

Eat a sensible balanced diet, and keep hydrated.

When I had low blood pressure the cardiologist advised that I simply salt my food. All my symptoms ceased within three months and although I still have relatively low blood pressure, it is within the normal boundaries now. Salt isn’t usually recommended because it increases blood pressure, which most people don’t need but in your case it would probably be beneficial.

I was told to add salt to my diet but I don’t really like the taste of it on my food so my solution was more crisps, which I do like. Probably not the advice you want though!

Salt is generally not recommended only because more people have high blood pressure than low pressure so for shorthand the NHS advice is to avoid salt but this doesn't apply to people with low blood pressure. I have seem a number of consultants and all have said to increase my intake of salt. If you don't like the taste you can actually buy salt tablets to swallow but I love it! I add salt when I cook and eat things like olives, marmite, cheese etc. If I'm having a particularly bad day (mine can go to about 90/60) I eat crisps and drink a glass of water and find it helps me feel better quite quickly.

Salted nuts is probably a healthier option than crisps.

I was advised not to drink liquorice tea as it raises blood pressure and mine is already too high, so you could try that, along with delicious salty goodness like miso soup and marmite.

I think you are over focusing on single nutrients having single effects. Stick with the big picture - we need a wide variety of healthful foods, eaten regularly, in adequate portions, with gaps in between. Your brain obsesses over details and isn't reliable on this issue because you have over valued ideas about getting your food intake right. I have low blood pressure, it's occasionally annoying but not a medical problem.
Use your detail focused brain on other more important things in life that will make a difference to your future.

Hi OP I also have low blood pressure.

I have started added pink salt to my porridge in the morning.

Plus I roast my own nuts with seasalt on top.

And crisps!

I already drank tons of water, which can be tricky as you drink water for the benefit of your blood pressure, but lose electrolytes in the process. I have started having an electrolyte tab in my first pint of water after I exercise.

@Twentybottlesofbeer what tabs do you use?

Can't remember the name and they are in my drawer at work. They come in a tube from Holland and Barrett, I think they are strawberry flavour. I don't like sweet things but these are OK.

You need to see a dietitian who specialises in ED, but start by increasing calories and salt. Salt isn’t unhealthy. There’s a good reason why endurance athletes have to make sure they get enough. It’s a mineral that is essential for several key body processes happening that are needed to keep you healthy. This sounds like it’s part of the overall issue of your disordered eating, which is why you need professional advice.,

Salted peanuts?

Liquorice tea.
Use proper salt not 'lo-salt' and stock cubes are high in salt.
Coconut, Brazil nuts, almonds.
But talking to a dietician would be sensible.