How You Might Be Suffering From Low Blood Pressure, And What You Can Do About It

You might be suffering from low blood pressure without realizing it. It’s easy to mistake other symptoms for something else, and even if you’re aware of them, you may be putting off seeing your doctor because you think that nothing can be done to help. You’re wrong – but only if you catch it early enough! Here are some home remedies to bring up your blood pressure while we wait to see your doctor.

Know Your Numbers

Many of us have heard that low blood pressure is a good thing—and it can be! But if your blood pressure plummets too low, it can lead to lightheadedness and headaches. In extreme cases, low blood pressure can cause orthostatic hypotension, which means you could experience dizziness or even fainting when you stand up suddenly. This condition often occurs in people who’ve been bedridden for a while and then try to move around too quickly—it happens because their cardiovascular system has slowed down so much that their heart rate isn’t fast enough to pump sufficient amounts of blood throughout their body. So how do you know if your blood pressure is healthy? According to WebMD, optimal blood pressure should fall between 120/80 mm Hg and 140/90 mm Hg. If yours falls below 120/80 mm Hg (considered low), talk with your doctor about lifestyle changes that might help bring it back up into range.

Watch Out For These 5 Common Causes

Let’s break down what might be going on with your blood pressure. If you recently started a new medication, it could be causing low blood pressure symptoms. Check with your doctor to make sure there isn’t a common side effect that could lead to these symptoms. Sometimes it can take time for your body to adjust to medications. Make sure you aren’t dehydrated and make sure you are getting enough liquids each day (around 8 glasses of water). Watch out for signs of dehydration: headaches, dry mouth, thirstiness, or dizziness. Keep track of your activity level and rest levels over time. If you're running short of sleep at night or during long workdays, then that could be another reason why your blood pressure is low or dropping too quickly. Rest more often by taking a nap, meditating, or even trying some light yoga. Lastly, if you are under a lot of stress, that can cause your blood pressure to drop as well. Relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises may help lower your stress levels. When all else fails, ask your doctor about changing up medications or adding supplements like magnesium and calcium. These minerals have been shown to raise blood pressure in certain cases.

Eat This Not That

We’ve all seen food products marketed as being low fat or fat-free. As it turns out, consuming lots of fat isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While saturated fats have been demonized in recent years (leading to so-called low-fat foods), there are some benefits of eating them—especially when it comes to brain health. Consuming more saturated fats has been linked to better memory and cognitive function and even increasing longevity! To get your healthy intake of fats (and for a whole lot more reasons), check out these alternative sources of good fat. They can be easily added to recipes and meals without altering their taste too much. Don’t let dietary guidelines keep you from getting enough of something that can help you stay mentally sharp well into old age. Eat butter; eat eggs; eat nuts. You’ll be glad you did.

Exercise Tips

Before starting any exercise routine, you should consult your doctor to make sure that your symptoms are indeed due to low blood pressure. If you have made sure that is indeed what is causing your fainting spells or dizziness and lightheadedness, it's time to think about how you can get more blood pumping through your body. Exercise will increase not only how much blood flows through your arteries but also how much oxygen is provided throughout your body. Physical activity releases endorphins which improve both mood and mental clarity as well as create a general sense of well-being in people who experience low blood pressure or other chronic conditions. Here are some tips for getting started In order to start experiencing real results from your new workout regimen, it's important to be able to recognize if there are certain triggers that cause a rise in blood pressure such as eating certain foods, being exposed to stress or anxiety and so on. Pay attention to how these different factors affect you during daily life so that you can avoid them if possible when planning out your exercises. You may even want to keep a diary of what happens before an episode so that you can refer back later on when creating an exercise plan specifically tailored toward managing these issues. Once you have figured out what exactly causes your episodes, start including those things into your regular routine; whether they belong walks around the neighborhood after dinner or running upstairs at work during lunch breaks.

9 Natural Treatments for Low Blood Pressure

If you’re diagnosed with low blood pressure, it might be helpful to know about some of its underlying causes. In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to stabilize your blood pressure; in others, medication is necessary. Always speak with your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements. Here are nine natural methods you can try at home to combat low blood pressure In general, don’t skip meals and make sure to eat a balanced diet. It may also help to limit salt intake, drink plenty of water (but not too much), exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep each night. Depending on your health condition, you may need more specific treatments: Speak with your doctor about whether these options are right for you: * Taking magnesium citrate has been shown to help improve blood pressure levels in patients with mild hypertension. Start by taking 200 mg twice daily, but consult your doctor first if you have kidney disease or if you're pregnant. * Getting regular exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure—even without losing weight. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity per day (such as brisk walking). * Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower high blood pressure in patients who do not respond well to other medications. Talk with your doctor about adding omega-3s into your diet through foods like fish and walnuts, or take an omega-3 supplement under his/her supervision. * Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction and relaxation techniques like meditation have helped many people lower their blood pressure naturally.

Let's Get Started!

Keeping a blood pressure chart at home is one of the best ways to identify changes in your blood pressure levels. When checking your blood pressure, use a calibrated blood pressure monitor and make sure you’re doing it correctly. (Here's how to do it right.) Record both numbers -- systolic and diastolic -- on your chart and write down any symptoms you are experiencing. Your doctor can help you determine what normal levels are for your age and gender—as well as when low blood pressure could be a problem. High blood pressure is often associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, 50 percent of all heart disease cases are related to high blood pressure that remains undiagnosed or uncontrolled. If you think you might have high blood pressure, ask your doctor about getting tested. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems such as stroke and kidney failure. The good news is that lifestyle changes and medication can lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing these complications.

Healthier Habits to Live By

If you’re suffering from low blood pressure and feel like it’s impossible to stay alert during your days, there are some habits you can adopt that can help. Eating a healthy diet full of protein is important when trying to maintain good blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends at least 20 grams of protein per day for optimal health. For instance, include fish (like tuna), beans, and nuts in your diet to increase your daily intake of protein. These foods will also give you a boost of energy because they contain iron, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Additionally, exercising regularly will keep your heart strong and pumping properly, which will ensure that enough oxygen reaches every part of your body—including those areas responsible for keeping you awake. Working out also boosts endorphins—your brain’s natural feel-good chemicals—which may help counteract symptoms of low blood pressure. As an added bonus, regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress levels, which could be contributing to fatigue. Take time each day to walk or jog around your neighborhood or take a quick trip on an elliptical machine at your local gym; whatever works best for you! In addition to eating right and exercising regularly, getting enough sleep is key. Your body requires adequate rest so that it can function optimally; if you aren’t getting seven or eight hours of sleep each night, chances are you aren’t getting enough shut-eye!