This article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Experts say low blood pressure may be caused by something as simple as dehydration, but sometimes it's caused by a serious medical condition. You may have low blood pressure (hypotension) if you have a blood pressure reading lower than 90 mm Hg systolic or 60 mm Hg diastolic.[1] Research suggests that low blood pressure may make it hard for blood to reach your heart, brain, and other organs, so it's important to find out what's causing it.[2] You may be able to raise your blood pressure with diet or lifestyle changes. However, see your doctor immediately if you have a sudden drop in blood pressure or your blood pressure doesn't improve.
Steps
Changing Your Diet
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1Drink plenty of water. Low blood pressure can accompany dehydration, so you may be able to raise your blood pressure by increasing your water intake. Aim to drink at least eight to ten 8 oz cups of water per day.[3] You should drink more water if this doesn’t help your symptoms or if you spend time outdoors or exercising.
- Health drinks with electrolytes can also help raise blood pressure, but you should avoid drinks with high sugar content.
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2Eat smaller meals more frequently. Eating several small meals, rather than one or two large meals, can help regulate your blood sugar and blood pressure. Aim to make these meals healthy and low in carbohydrates.
- When you do eat carbohydrates, avoid processed carbs such as pasta and white bread. Go for complex carbs instead, such as oatmeal, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread, and barley.
- Low blood pressure after a meal, which is called postprandial hypotension, is common in adults over the age of 65. You may experience low blood pressure 1-2 hours after a meal.
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3Balance your diet. An important way to regulate your blood pressure and improve your overall health is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. A balanced diet includes lean meats and fish, whole grains, and a lot of fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid heavily processed foods that are high in sugar and fat. While these do often contain higher levels of sodium, they are not a healthy source of other nutrients.[4]
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4Increase your Vitamin B12 and folate consumption. These vitamins contribute to a healthy blood pressure function and circulation.[5] Fortified cereal contains both minerals. Some other sources of B12 include fish and dairy products such a cheese, milk, and yogurt. Folate can be found in dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach.[6]
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5Reduce alcohol consumption. Alcohol contributes to dehydration, even if consumed in moderation. If you have problems with low blood pressure, you should avoid drinking alcohol in any amount.
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6Drink caffeine. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which can increase blood pressure. Increasing your caffeine intake by a moderate amount can help raise your blood pressure.[7]
- Be careful that you don't consume too much caffeine. Since it's a diuretic, caffeine may increase your fluid loss through urination, which can cause dehydration. This may in turn cause orthostatic hypotension, which is low blood pressure due to dehydration.
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7Try taking herbal remedies. Herbal remedies are not proven to help blood pressure, but there is anecdotal evidence that some herbs may lessen the effects of low blood pressure. Some of these include aniseed and rosemary.[8] Adding these to your diet may offer some benefits, but you should ask your doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Cooking with these herbs is unlikely to have measurable effects, however.
Making Lifestyle Changes
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1Change body positions slowly. To reduce the effects of blood-pressure-related dizziness, be slow and deliberate with your motions. Use particular care when moving from lying down to sitting or from sitting to standing.
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2Avoid crossing your legs while sitting. Crossing your legs can restrict your circulation. In order to maintain healthy circulation to your body, try to sit with your legs comfortably resting with your knees about hip-width apart.
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3Exercise regularly. Regular exercise benefits your health generally, but it will also help encourage and regulate healthy blood flow. Something as simple as going for a brisk 20-minute walk every day can help your mental and physical well-being.
- Avoid exercises that involve heavy lifting if your blood pressure has not yet regulated. This can lead to strain or injury.[11]
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4Wear compression stockings. Compression stockings are often worn to help reduce the swelling and pooling of blood in the lower body and to improve circulation.[12] Wearing low-grade compression stockings during daily activities will help regulate blood pressure by keeping blood circulating regularly through your veins.
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5Avoid long, hot showers. The hot water from showers and spas can cause your blood vessels to expand, which can lead to a further drop in blood pressure. This can cause dizziness and fainting. You can remedy this by taking warm (rather than hot) showers and avoiding spas or hot tubs. You may also want to install a handrail or a shower chair in your shower in case of a dizzy spell.[13]
Getting Medical Treatment
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1Seek medical attention if you are experiencing a sudden change in blood pressure. If you had normal or high blood pressure and then had a sudden onset of low blood pressure, you should seek medical attention immediately. New onset low blood pressure can be a major warning sign of life-threatening illness, especially for people with diabetes.
- Even if the sudden drop in blood pressure is your only symptom, contact your doctor.
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2Request a change in your medications or dosages. Some medications lower your blood pressure as a side effect.[14] Discuss with your doctor whether any of your current medications could be lowering your blood pressure and if a change in your prescription medication regimen could help you raise your low blood pressure.
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3Get tested for underlying medical conditions. Low blood pressure could be a sign of another medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, cortisone deficiency, or a thyroid problem.[15] Have your doctor evaluate you for other medical conditions if your low blood pressure remains a problem after making diet and lifestyle changes.[16]
- Your doctor will likely recommend lab tests based on your specific medical history. These may include a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), A1C, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test, and electrocardiogram (EKG).
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4Inquire about medications that raise blood pressure. Fludrocortisone and Midodrine are both medications that can help raise blood pressure. Ask your physician if one of these medications would be right for your situation.
- People are not generally prescribed medicine for low blood pressure, as it's not often a cause for concern unless it presents with symptoms.[17]
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5Recognize warning symptoms. If your low blood pressure is accompanied by other symptoms, or if you had normal or even high blood pressure and now you suddenly have low blood pressure, you should seek medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms with low blood pressure, call your doctor:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Clammy or pale skin
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Thirst
Warnings
- Always talk to your doctor before stopping prescription medications or adding non-prescription medications or supplements to your diet to ensure that none of the medications you are taking will interact or have side effects.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Be careful if you explore alternative treatments. Some people pursue herbal supplements or homeopathic remedies for low blood pressure, but you should check with your doctor before using alternative medicine. Supplements aren't safe with all prescription medications.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20355465
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007278.htm
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
- ↑ http://www.care2.com/greenliving/6-foods-that-make-you-hungrier.html
- ↑ http://www.med-health.net/Foods-That-Raise-Blood-Pressure.html
- ↑ http://www.med-health.net/Foods-That-Raise-Blood-Pressure.html
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/low_blood_pressure/page12.htm
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/low_blood_pressure/page12.htm
- ↑ http://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/herbs-to-lower#Cinnamon4
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21033621
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/heart/understanding-low-blood-pressure-treatment
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/basics/treatment/con-20032298
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/heart/understanding-low-blood-pressure-treatment
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/basics/treatment/con-20032298
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/basics/treatment/con-20032298
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/low_blood_pressure/page12.htm
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-(low)/Pages/Treatment.aspx
About This Article
To raise low blood pressure, try making dietary changes like eating smaller meals more frequently, reducing alcohol consumption, and drinking a moderate amount of caffeine. You can also avoid crossing your legs while you're sitting down, which restricts blood flow and limits circulation. Additionally, wearing compression stockings can improve circulation and raise blood pressure by reducing swelling and keeping blood from pooling in your lower limbs. For more tips on lifestyle changes that can help raise low blood pressure, read on!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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