How to Raise Blood Pressure at Home – Hypotension Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedy
Hypotension¹ or Low Blood Pressure is a physiological state, not a disease. In this article, you will learn how to raise blood pressure at home.
What is Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure occurs when your systolic and diastolic reading is less than 90/60.
For healthy people low BP is normal and doesn’t require any special treatment.² Though it is of concern for elderly people. In that case, it might be a symptom of cardiovascular diseases. Severe cases appear if brains and other vital organs don’t receive sufficient oxygen. This condition results in shock.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure is caused by excessive exercise, excessive heat, anemia, vitamin b12 and folic acid deficiency. Some medicine side effects are also responsible. Dehydration, heart problems, widening of blood vessels, neurological disorders, etc. are some other reasons.³
A pregnant woman is prone to low blood pressure. The reason is the rapid expansion of the circulatory system. This is normal. Blood pressure usually returns to the normal level after childbirth.⁴
Exposure to severe bleeding, whether internal or external, is one of the most important causes of low blood pressure.
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Symptoms
The most famous of these symptoms are –
- Dizziness, in addition to weakness and general fatigue
- Fainting and falling
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling pressure across the back of the shoulder or neck
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heart rate
- Blurred vision
- Loss of ability to focus
- Nausea
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling cold
Blood pressure suddenly drops when you are changing posture to standing. This is called postural hypotension. It is a failure of the cardiovascular or nervous system to respond immediately to sudden movements. Usually, when you stand up, some blood collects in your lower extremities. If not corrected, it may cause low blood pressure. But your body usually compensates by sending signals to your heart to beat faster and by constricting your blood vessels. This compensates for low blood pressure.⁵
If this does not happen, or it occurs very slowly, postural hypotension can lead to syncope.
How to Raise Blood Pressure at Home
While hypotension may seem to be a good health thing compared to high blood pressure but constant exposure to low blood pressure may cause many health problems.
In some cases, some daily practices and simple tricks may help in raising low blood pressure –
- Drink a lot of water. A sufficient amount of water increases the volume of blood in the body.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Eating vegetables and fruits that contains water and vitamins.
- Ensure enough salt in your diet. Eat vegetables or foods which are rich in sodium.
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. If necessary seek help from a professional.
- Avoid standing for too long.
- Avoid stress and psychological pressure.
- Do exercises that enhance blood flow within your arteries. Move your legs slightly before standing up.
- Put one leg on top of the other while sitting. This position increases blood pressure in the body.
- Eat smaller meals throughout the whole day. Taking a large meal one at a time results in a sudden drop in blood pressure.
- Wear compression stockings. Compression stockings reduce the amount of blood stuck to the bottom of the feet.
- Some medication lowers your blood pressure. Consult your doctor if this happens.⁶ ⁷ ⁸
Low blood pressure is not dangerous but is often considered evidence of good health. If you feel unpleasant symptoms accompanying low blood pressure, consult your doctor.