Low Blood Pressure Sufferers - tips to raise it

[PostBellumBugsy]

I've had low blood pressure since I was a child. Sometimes, it is ok and other times it is really bad. Today is a bad day. I have no idea why but I am just sitting at my desk feeling dizzy.

I detest coffee but I've just made myself a strong coffee and put a slug of sugar in it to try and gee myself up a bit. (Yes, I did have breakfast!)

Any other sufferers out there with some tips for improving things.

Thank you MoreSnow - I'll get a bag at lunchtime.

Drinking tea according to my doctor should help, as well as keeping generally hydrated.

I must drink about 15 cups of builders tea a day Sybil! PBB makes note to self to never stop drinking tea as she might flatline!

Just a thought- too much caffeine can give people palpitations and 'funny turns'. years ago my dad thought he had heart problems in his 40s and turned out to be too much coffee.
I've never heard of low BP being raised by tea or coffee-except very temporarily through the caffeine- though keeping hydrated will.

How low is your blood pressure? Have you see your GP because if it's causing you real probs you should may have some drugs for it.

I've been to GP and cardiologist. I have low BP and low resting heart rate - like a bloody athlete, even though I do next to no exercise. Most of the time the BP isn't too bad and is quite manageable but everynow and then it is a real trial and I'm never sure why. Cardiologist recommended more salt.

It could be the heat at the moment & the fact I've just started Couch to 5K. I've probably lost precious salt through sweat. I'll do the crisp or peanut thing at lunchtime & hope that helps.

I was told no caffeine, more water, more salt.

I don't do the first one, to be honest, but am trying with the others.

Increase fluid intake and salt. I drink Gatorade which seems to help.
I snack on salty peanuts and add salt at the table to my food.

Keep well hydrated.

Thin your blood by taking an aspirin a day (check with your GP first - obviously).

If you're sitting at your desk, every now and then, flex your feet and tense then un-tense your calf muscles. This helps pump the blood back up to your heart.

Out of interest, Check you're not anaemic.

Few tips to reduce low blood pressure
? Exercise regularly
? Eat a healthy diet
? Reduce sodium in your diet
? Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

Below is a link which helps to keep low blood pressure in track
www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/natural-7/default.htm

I suffer with it to and also have quite a lot of dizzy and fainting spells. I find it is worse if I have gone through a stage of not eating well or have been ill. By not eating well I mean skipping meals, not eating rubbish . The dr told me to have a can of red bull handy or a energy drink as a temporary measure to boost it if I feel it coming on quick. Some say they keep a sachet of salt handy and just eat that quick but the last time it made me gag so much.... Caffeine does temporarily increase pressure, this is why there are warnings on these drinks for folk with high blood pressure not to overuse them.

I have it the worst getting out of the bath. If the water is a bit too hot I can feel faint in the bath so when its like that instead of just getting up and out the bath, I have to stand slowly and crouch getting out, if that makes sense, then lie down till my heart rate gets back to something at least normal as its so bad I can feel it pounding right through my back...

I have an arrhythmia (tachycardia) as well so it be that which relates to the bath thing...

If you are really concerned you should have it checked as you can be put on meds for it. What is your normal pressure?

Thanks all. Lollylaughs - I rarely have a bath these days because I hate that getting out light-headed nausea things so much.

Blood pressure readings usually somewhere around 90/60 and resting heart rate of around 60 - which for a mid 40s hugely unfit person is mad!

I struggle with ferritin levels, which may be tied in with it. I'm sure that I'm a bit hypothyroid and that may be affecting it as well but that will be a battle with the GP and I haven't got time for it at the moment!

Much better today, think the cooler weather has helped and the packet of salted peanuts I had too!

Cardiologists often prescribe salt pills for low blood pressure not caused by underlying disease: once you have been checked out for other stuff, ignore all the general health advice about reducing sodium (corinne) as that is aimed at the majority of people whose BP is on the high side.

Postbellum you should first get a general health check (eg as you say thyroid) to see if there is an underlying cause for your low BP, and also get a check on your cortisol and aldosterone levels to rule out Addisons if you also feel fatigued.

I agree about keeping hydrated but, ironically, drinking water alone can make you DEhydrated (it dilutes the blood causing the kidneys to excrete urine). You need to drink isotonic drinks or eat crisps when you drink water.