Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

If you have low blood pressure, your blood isn’t circulated properly to all of your organs and body parts. Low blood pressure, also called ‘hypotension’, affects millions of people, most who are asymptomatic. Ideal systolic blood pressure should be 120/80 but many people fall below this range naturally.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Fainting
• Chronic neck pain/stiffness
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Burning during urination
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Cold, clammy skin
• Nausea
• Blurred vision

Dangers of Chronic Low Blood Pressure

Chronic low blood pressure can lead to endocrine disorders, neurological problems, organ damage, shock, and death. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of hypotension, talk with your doctor.

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure can be caused by a multitude of factors. It’s often associated with pregnancy, heart arrhythmias, liver disease, thyroid disease, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and certain over-the-counter medications. If a man who takes nitrates for chest pain also uses a prescription male enhancement pill, he may experience a sudden and unsafe drop in blood pressure.

Drug-induced orthostatic hypotension is commonly caused by alpha blockers, adrenergic blockers, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopamine agonists, antianginals and antiarrhythmics.

Increase Your Blood Pressure Naturally

The best way to increase your blood pressure naturally is to figure out what’s causing it in the first place. Getting an underlying condition such as thyroid disease or diabetes under control will help tremendously. Ask your doctor if the medication you’re taking could be lowering your blood pressure. He may be able to switch to an alternative drug.

You can also raise your blood pressure by increasing your salt intake and drinking 6-8 glasses of filtered water per day. A vegetarian diet is a bad idea if you have hypotension. Studies have shown those who eat a diet rich in meat and fat have higher blood pressure and more stable blood sugar. Enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner each night can also help increase your blood pressure.

Regular aerobic exercise can stabilize your blood pressure and keep it from becoming too low or too high. When you work out, you breathe harder and pump more oxygen through your body. A combination of cardio and strength training can keep your blood pressure stable for longer periods of time.

Avoid standing up too suddenly or crossing your legs when you stand. If you need a quick-fix for a dizzy spell caused by hypotension, lay down on a couch or bed and elevate your feet for 20 minutes. This will return the blood to your head and alleviate sudden symptoms.

If you struggle with chronic low blood pressure, first, find out what’s causing it. Once you do, you can raise it easily through a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes.