What It’s Like To Live With Low Blood Pressure – Simple DIY Low Blood Pressure Treatment Ideas + Facts You Need To Know

fI have low blood pressure. It’s something I’ve had to deal with since I was a young child. My aim here is to give you some perspective on what it’s like to live with low blood pressure and share with you some easy low blood pressure treatment ideas you can try at home.

Low blood pressure (or Hypotension) occurs when the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels is less than normal.

For example, normal blood pressure numbers are as follows:

• Normal systolic blood pressure for most healthy adults falls between 90 and 120 millimeters of mercury.
• Normal diastolic blood pressure falls between 60 and 80 mm Hg.

Low blood pressure numbers are those that fall below those levels.

The danger lies in the fact that low blood pressure can impede circulation and damage your internal organs.

Here’s a very helpful blood pressure chart that shows the difference between mild, moderate, and severe blood pressure issues.

Following are 5 simple facts about low blood pressure, plus some simple DIY low blood pressure treatment ideas…

 

Low Blood Pressure Facts

In these simple facts, you’ll learn what causes low blood pressure, the symptoms of low blood pressure, and some basic tips for how to treat low blood pressure…

Fact #1:  Low blood pressure can result from hemorrhage or other blood loss. Dehydration can also be a factor. Women with a heavy menstrual cycle may have low blood pressure.

Some slender women with low blood pressure lose salt before their periods rather than retaining it. If you feel dizzy or weak during the premenstrual week, you may need to increase salt.

Fact #2:  Low blood pressure can be caused from outside factors (such as decreased cardiac looutput) due to congestive heart failure or similar heart problems — such as arrhythmias or excessive vasodilatation caused by decreased sympathetic nervous system due to a braid or spinal cord abnormality.

There are a number of conditions that cause low blood pressure — either temporarily or permanently.

Fact #3:  A rare form of low blood pressure is called postprandial hypotension and occurs after eating a large meal. This is because blood is diverted to intestines to help digest the meal. This is usually a side effect of aging or a specific disorder.

What about diabetes & low blood pressure?

Fact #4:  Low blood pressure can sometimes be good. That is, blood pressure that stays at a consistent moderately low level may have a positive effect. For example, people who have lower blood pressures also have a lower risk of stroke, kidney disease, and heart disease.

If you exercise regularly, your blood pressure will be naturally low — because regular physical activity helps to lower blood pressure, control weight and reduce stress.

Fact #5:  The most common symptoms of low blood pressure include lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting — usually when you’re going from a lying down or sitting position to a standing position. Low blood pressure symptoms might also make you feel as if you are standing on a rocking boat, you may experience changes in breathing patterns or nausea, and you may suddenly feel cold or clammy with very little energy.

See what low blood pressure high pulse rate means.

 

What It’s Like To Live With Low Blood Pressure

Unlike my mother (mentioned in this article about high blood pressure), I have low blood pressure.

My blood pressure is not dangerously low — because it is consistently low. It’s constantly 110/60.

In my youth, it was as low as 90/50. While this was within a safe low blood pressure range, I was prone to fainting — especially if I hurt myself or was in pain.

These days, I only get dizzy when standing up too quickly, and I know better than to bend over and then stand right back up to avoid falling down.

One interesting side effect of having low blood pressure is that doctors do not notice when your blood pressure is elevated.

On several occasions (during pregnancy or illness), my blood pressure was taken and the numbers were on the high end of normal. It took a good deal of convincing on my part to inform the medical professionals that, for me, this was high blood pressure and that I needed medical intervention.

 

Low Blood Pressure Treatment

There are a number of things you can do to keep your blood pressure from becoming dangerously low.

Here are a few simple low blood pressure treatment ideas:

• Add more salt to your diet.
• Cut the caffeine from your diet.
• Avoid dehydration by drinking lots of water and sports drinks that are high in sodium and potassium.
• Exercise more to increase blood flow.
• Take Epsom salt baths.
• Pump your feet and ankles a few times before you start to stand up.
• Elevate the head of your bed by 5 to 20 degrees.
• Avoid heavy lifting.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals — and rest after eating.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to hot water — such as hot showers and spas.
• Wear compression socks.

 

The Bottom Line On Treating Low Blood Pressure

• Talk with your doctor about the cause of your low blood pressure in order to choose the best treatment for you.
• Discuss medications for low blood pressure with your doctor.
• Blood thinners and intravenous fluids can be helpful in certain situations.
• Here are some other home remedies for treating low blood pressure.