- 1. Drink more water
- 2. Wear elastic stockings
- 3. Increase salt consumption
- 4. Stop using some medications
- 5. Eat small meals several times a day
- What to do for low blood pressure in pregnancy
- When to go to the doctor
Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, happens when blood pressure reaches values equal to or less than 9 by 6, that is, 90 mmHg x 60 mmHg. Generally, people with low blood pressure do not have symptoms and, therefore, this situation is usually not problematic, and may even be normal in people who always have low blood pressure.
However, there are also some people who may experience a rapid drop in pressure and experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness or feeling faint, for example. In these cases, the situation usually improves after lying down and elevating the legs above the level of the heart and, therefore, no treatment is needed. Check out what to do when the pressure drops too fast.
However, there are also people whose blood pressure is constantly low and causes symptoms that prevent them from performing daily activities. When this happens, it may be a sign that there is less blood reaching the heart and, therefore, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner to identify the cause of the problem and start the most appropriate treatment, which may include changes in the diet and even the abandonment of some types of medication.
Thus, depending on the causes, the main forms of treatment include:
1. Drink more water
This is a very simple step, but also a very important treatment, which can be done regardless of the cause. This is because, people who are not properly hydrated, with the amount of water they need for the body to function, usually have a lower volume of blood in the arteries, which causes the pressure to decrease.
Likewise, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages should also be avoided, as they promote dehydration, in addition to causing dilation of blood vessels, contributing to a more marked decrease in blood pressure.
2. Wear elastic stockings
This type of treatment is usually suggested for people who have difficulty with venous return in the legs or in patients with heart failure, since in both cases there is an accumulation of blood in the legs, which causes less blood to reach the heart., which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
The use of elastic stockings is especially important during the day, especially when standing for many hours, and helps in the return of blood to the heart, improving blood pressure.
3. Increase salt consumption
Although it is recommended to decrease the amount of salt to prevent cardiovascular disease, people who have symptomatic low blood pressure may need to increase their salt intake in order to try to increase blood pressure. However, this increase should only be done under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist, since the excessive use of salt can end up being harmful to your health.
4. Stop using some medications
Some medications, especially diuretics, medications for heart problems and antidepressants can have a side effect of lowering blood pressure when used for long periods. When this happens, the doctor can evaluate the possibility of changing the medication being used or stopping its use, if its benefit is not offsetting the symptoms of low blood pressure, for example.
5. Eat small meals several times a day
This technique is generally used in people who have low blood pressure after meals, as it can be caused by the diversion of blood to the stomach, which causes less blood to circulate and reach the heart.
Thus, the ideal is to have smaller meals, to reduce the amount of blood diverted to the stomach, and several times a day, to avoid malnutrition.
What to do for low blood pressure in pregnancy
If the pregnant woman has symptoms of low blood pressure, she should also lie on her back, keeping her legs elevated to normalize the pressure. However, if there is no improvement in symptoms, it is recommended that the woman consult her obstetrician to investigate the causes of this hypotension and its possible correction.
Low pressure in pregnancy is frequent in the beginning of pregnancy, but generally, it does not cause complications for the baby, and is related to the action of the hormone relaxin on the veins. In addition, the fetus needs a greater amount of blood, which is why it naturally decreases the amount of blood in the mother's arteries, causing low blood pressure.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the doctor whenever symptoms of low blood pressure appear, to assess if there is any cause that needs treatment, however, some signs that may indicate a more serious situation include:
- Happen more than a faint; Symptoms do not improve in a few hours; There is confusion, increased heart rate or rapid breathing.
In these cases, the decrease in low blood pressure may be caused by more serious causes, such as bleeding, heart problems or an infection, which need to be identified and treated as soon as possible.
See what are the most common causes of low blood pressure and what to do in each case.
