CS1, a controlled-release formulation of valproic acid, for the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: Rationale and design of a Phase 2 clinical trial
13 Ways To Raise Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms. Lifestyle changes, such as drinking plenty of fluids, wearing compression stockings, and eating more salt, may help raise blood pressure.
In some situations, natural solutions can raise low blood pressure and relieve some of the symptoms that accompany it.
In other cases, intervention in the form of medications and therapies may be necessary to raise blood pressure to a healthy level.
This article explains low blood pressure, natural ways to raise it, how to recognize low blood pressure, and when to speak with a doctor.
Healthcare professionals measure blood pressure using millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Low blood pressure or hypotension is any reading lower than 90 mmHg over 60 mmHg.
However, most doctors will only describe low blood pressure as a problem if a person has the symptoms.
Low blood pressure is not a concern if there are no symptoms present. However, when low blood pressure causes symptoms, it can be a sign that not enough blood is getting to the organs.
If this happens for too long, it can cause serious consequences, including:
Many people with low blood pressure do not need medications or other medical interventions to raise blood pressure.
Healthcare professionals may suggest natural ways and lifestyle changes to raise low blood pressure, including the following.
1. Eat more salt
While too much salt can increase the risk of high blood pressure, those with low blood pressure may benefit from eating more of it, particularly if their intake is low.
A doctor may suggest increasing sodium intake moderately to help raise blood pressure. A healthcare professional can help someone ensure they are getting the right amount.
Some salty foods that may help with this include:
However, people should be careful not to consume too much. People can check food packaging labels to monitor how much salt they consume.
2. Avoid alcoholic beverages
Alcohol can lower blood pressure up to 12 hours after consumption, so people with low blood pressure should avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
3. Discuss medications with a doctor
Low blood pressure can be a side effect of a variety of medications, including:
If symptoms of low blood pressure begin after starting a new medication, people should discuss the symptoms with their doctor.
4. Cross legs while sitting
Crossing the legs while sitting can increase blood pressure. For people with high blood pressure, this can be a problem.
For people with low blood pressure symptoms, crossing the legs may help increase blood pressure with minimal effort.
5. Drink water
Drinking more water can help increase blood volume, which can alleviate one of the potential causes of low blood pressure. It can also help people avoid dehydration.
6. Eat small meals frequently
Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day may help with low blood pressure.
This is because the smaller meals help prevent a drop in blood pressure associated with eating larger, heavier meals.
7. Wear compression stockings
Compression stockings help reduce the amount of blood that gets caught in the lower legs and feet, shifting it elsewhere.
Compression stockings may also help relieve pressure and pain that occurs with varicose veins.
8. Avoid sudden position changes
Sitting or standing up rapidly can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. This may lead to feelings of lightheadedness, dizziness, or potential fainting in people with low blood pressure.
In these cases, the heart has not pumped enough blood through the body quickly enough to account for the sudden change in position or elevation. Getting up more slowly may help.
9. Raise the head when sleeping
10. Lower shower temperatures
Taking hot showers and baths or being in a hot environment may worsen the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension for some people.
11. Lower body strength training
A 2022 article suggests that lower body strength training and moderate exercise may benefit people with orthostatic hypotension by increasing plasma volume.
Exercises that strengthen the lower body include:
If exercising standing up is difficult, people can also try exercises while lying down or recumbent bikes.
12. Eat a balanced diet
If someone has low blood pressure due to nutritional deficiencies, changing the diet to address those deficiencies may help to increase their blood pressure.
For example, deficiencies in folate and vitamin B12 can cause anemia, which may contribute to low blood pressure levels.
13. Be aware of symptoms
Low blood pressure is only a concern if symptoms exist. If there are no symptoms present, doctors may take low blood pressure as a sign of good health.
But if symptoms do occur, such as dizziness, they should speak with a doctor about the underlying cause.
What Low Blood Pressure Means And When It Can Be Dangerous
Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood moving through your artery walls. When that force is too low, your vital organs may not be getting the right amount of blood flow they need to function.
Here's what you need to know about what might cause low blood pressure and when it is considered an emergency.
What low blood pressure meansHypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure, which is typically defined by a blood pressure reading of 90/60 mm Hg or lower. For reference, a normal blood pressure range is around 100/60 mm Hg to 120/80 mm Hg.
Low blood pressure with no symptoms is rarely a cause for concern, says Nicole Weinberg, MD, a cardiologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center. In fact, some people have chronic low blood pressure, but feel fine, and do not need to be treated.
However, if low blood pressure is combined with symptoms of dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, it could be a sign that you need medical attention.
What causes low blood pressureThe exact cause of low blood pressure is not always clear, Weinberg says, but some common causes include:
In addition, postural or orthostatic hypotension can occur when you quickly rise from a sitting or lying down position, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure and feelings of lightheadedness. This can last for just a few minutes or it can be more severe and cause fainting.
In fact, Parkinson's disease can impair the body's ability to automatically adjust blood pressure when changing positions, resulting in bouts of orthostatic hypotension. About one in five people with Parkinson's are affected by orthostatic hypotension.
Weinberg says orthostatic hypotension usually isn't a medical emergency unless it persists and you consistently feel lightheaded when you stand.
For someone experiencing an isolated episode of hypotension, Weinberg advises lying down, eating a salty snack, and drinking water — since fluids increase blood volume and can help get your blood pressure back to normal.
When low blood pressure is an emergencyIf you frequently experience symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness or fainting spells, you should consult a doctor. While low blood pressure, itself, usually isn't fatal, there are serious medical situations where it is considered an emergency, and you should go to the hospital.
"The likelihood of dying from low blood pressure is low unless it is related to another disease process," Weinberg says.
For example, a blood infection, or sepsis, can result in low blood pressure. Sepsis occurs when the chemicals released by the body to fight an infection trigger widespread inflammation, resulting in blood clotting that reduces blood flow to vital organs, such as your heart, kidneys, and brain. This can progress to septic shock and very low blood pressure, which may be fatal, and should be treated immediately.
Low blood pressure can also be affiliated with Addison's disease — a disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol, a hormone that helps your body respond to stress. Lack of cortisol production can cause addisonian crisis, which is characterized by low blood pressure and can be fatal without proper treatment.
The treatment for low blood pressure varies depending on the cause. In severe cases, someone might need intravenous therapy (IV) to deliver fluids into the veins and raise blood pressure. In critical situations, such as septic shock, doctors may use drug therapies either orally or through an IV to quickly raise blood pressure.
Insider's takeawayLow blood pressure, or hypotension, is often not a cause for concern. However, if it accompanies symptoms like fainting, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or dizziness, you may need medical attention.
Some common causes of low blood pressure include pregnancy, hormonal changes, dehydration, and medication side effects.
Low blood pressure alone is not considered fatal, but there are some conditions where it's an emergency. Low blood pressure caused by Sepsis or Addison's disease calls for immediate medical treatment.
What Is Low Blood Pressure?
While most people are familiar with the dangers of high blood pressure, low blood pressure often flies under the radar…
While most people are familiar with the dangers of high blood pressure, low blood pressure often flies under the radar because it's typically asymptomatic.
Low blood pressure is also not a stand-alone condition; rather, it's a sign of an underlying health issue — making it that much more essential to get to the bottom of the cause. It can lead to troubling symptoms like dizziness, fainting and fatigue, which can significantly impact everyday life if left untreated.
If you suspect you're experiencing symptoms of low blood pressure, here's what to know about treating the condition and when you should see a doctor.
[READ: How to Properly Take and Read Your Blood Pressure at Home.]
What Is Low Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure, or the force exerted by your circulating blood against artery walls, is measured using two numbers:
— Systolic, or the top number. This number measures how much pressure the blood is exerting against the artery walls when the heart beats.
— Diastolic, or the bottom number. This number measures pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, at its lowest in the phase of circulation.
Low blood pressure, called hypotension, is when your blood pressure reading is lower than 90/60 mm Hg. A normal blood pressure range is considered under 120/80 mm Hg for most healthy adults.
"Low blood pressure is usually a good thing, especially in people that are in adequate health or are physically functional," says Dr. Spencer D. Liu, an interventional and advanced heart failure transplant cardiologist at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in New York.
However, when low blood pressure is caused by an underlying condition — which is most often the case — it can require further medical attention.
[READ: Emergency Room, Urgent Care or Primary Care Physician: Which Should You Pick?]
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Common causes of low blood pressure may include:
— Dehydration
— Hormonal issues
— Heart problems
— Nutritional deficiencies
— Pregnancy
— Blood loss
— Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
— Severe allergic reactions or infections
[READ: Foods for Hypertension.]
What Are the Risk Factors for Low Blood Pressure?
Low blood pressure can affect anyone, though certain risk factors may increase your susceptibility to hypotension.
Age
Older adults are at higher risk for low blood pressure and the symptoms that come with it. That's due to a combination of age-related physiological changes, medication use and prevalence of health conditions.
Certain health conditions
Some conditions, such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and autonomic neuropathy, can be risk factors for different types of hypotension. In fact, Liu says that low blood pressure is often seen as an initial sign of diabetes.
Some medications
Medications that may increase your risk for low blood pressure include diuretics, antidepressants, drugs to treat Parkinson's disease and erectile dysfunction drugs, especially when combined with other medications like nitroglycerin.
With some medications, however, low blood pressure may be the intended effect.
"People should not be stopping blood pressure medications without consulting their medical provider," Liu emphasizes.
Types of Low Blood Pressure
There are a few major types of hypotension:
— Orthostatic hypotension, or postural hypotension. OH is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when you go from lying down or sitting to standing. It can be caused by or linked to a number of health conditions, including dehydration, prolonged bed rest, diabetes, anemia and other nutritional deficiencies, and high blood pressure or heart failure. Its prevalence increases with age.
— Postprandial hypotension. This occurs mainly in older adults, and it's when your blood pressure drops after eating. Some health conditions, such as Parkinson 's disease or other nervous system disorders, may put you at higher risk for postprandial hypotension.
— Neurally mediated hypotension. This is when your blood pressure drops after you've been standing for prolonged periods of time.
— Multiple system atrophy with orthostatic hypotension. This rare condition causes low blood pressure while you're standing and high blood pressure while you're lying down.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure often doesn't cause noticeable signs or symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include:
— Dizziness
— Lightheadedness
— Fainting
— Fatigue or weakness
— Headaches
— Blurred vision
— Nausea or vomiting
— Heart palpitations
"Low blood pressure by itself is usually not a concern unless it's causing significant symptoms," Liu notes.
If you are experiencing symptoms, though, it could be a sign of a medical issue that needs attention.
Diagnosing Low Blood Pressure
To diagnose hypotension, your health care provider will discuss your symptoms and medical history and conduct a physical exam, during which they'll take your vital signs, including your blood pressure.
"Once you identify that, number one, you're having symptomatic hypotension, it's more why," says Dr. Frank Amico, a cardiologist at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare in Chesapeake, Virginia. "And that's really what the question is about: Why are they having it?"
Based on your symptoms and health history, your doctor will likely examine you further and conduct a series of tests, which may include:
— Blood tests
— Stress test
— Electrocardiogram
— CT scan or X-ray of your chest
Low Blood Pressure Treatment
Treatment depends on if the patient is symptomatic or not, Amico says. Generally, low blood pressure without symptoms is not cause for concern, and you likely don't need further treatment.
If you're symptomatic, your health care provider will aim to treat the underlying condition causing hypotension, rather than the low blood pressure itself.
For example, low blood pressure treatment may focus on:
— Treating or managing those underlying health issues, such as diabetes or endocrine disorders
— Adjusting any medications that may be negatively affecting your blood pressure
— Increasing fluid and/or salt intake to prevent dehydration
— Making dietary adjustments and other lifestyle changes to address any nutritional deficiencies, avoiding alcohol intake and engaging in more physical activity
At-home monitoring of blood pressure is not typically part of the treatment process.
"Monitoring drives people crazy," Amico says. "There's a psychological component to every part of our disease processes that we treat. And if someone has to chronically take their blood pressure, it makes them uncomfortable."
However, if a health care professional does recommend at-home monitoring, make sure you're following all instructions so you can stay on top of your health.
Complications of Low Blood Pressure
Untreated low blood pressure can lead to various complications, including:
— Falls and injuries: Sudden drops in blood pressure, like when standing up, can cause dizziness or fainting and lead to falls. This is particularly of concern in older adults.
— Reduced blood flow to vital organs: Prolonged cases of symptomatic low blood pressure that goes untreated may affect blood flow to vital organs, such as the brain and kidneys, leading to damage over time.
— Cognitive impairment: If blood flow to the brain is impacted over a period of time, you may experience issues with memory and overall cognitive function.
— Health condition complications: If the underlying health condition causing low blood pressure goes untreated, you may experience further health complications in ranging severity, depending on the disease.
Additionally, severe hypotension can lead to shock in rare circumstances. Hypotensive shock is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. Causes of hypotensive shock could include severe dehydration, blood loss, heart failure or severe infections like septic shock. Symptoms may include rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, cold skin and a weak pulse.
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What Is Low Blood Pressure? Originally appeared on usnews.Com
Update 04/23/25: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
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