Low blood pressure: causes and solutions to the problem

(Health Center) There is a lot of talk about high blood pressure (hypertension). But low blood pressure (hypotension) seems to be considered a minor problem. The number of risks associated with hypotension is much less than with hypertension. However, those whose blood pressure is consistently below normal often feel tired and overwhelmed. For such people, knowing the possible causes of hypotension, and especially knowing how to stabilize low blood pressure, means a significant improvement in quality of life.

Causes of low blood pressure and ways to solve the problem

Low blood pressure causes lethargy and fatigue, accompanied by dizziness, decreased ability to concentrate and thus can significantly worsen your well-being. Doctors often tell hypotensive patients that low blood pressure is not as serious a problem as hypertension, and therefore nothing needs to be done.

But for anyone who would like to feel better, such words, of course, are of little use. Therefore, we will tell you about the possible causes of low blood pressure, which even doctors often do not think about, as well as how you can increase low blood pressure.

Low blood pressure - less than 100/60 mmHg

As you know, when measuring blood pressure, two indicators are distinguished: systolic and diastolic pressure.

First, the systolic blood pressure is indicated. This pressure occurs when the heart pumps blood into the arteries. It is always higher than diastolic pressure.

The second indicator is diastolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in the blood vessels between two contractions of the heart, that is, at the moment when the heart is not pumping blood.

Healthy blood pressure, according to today's understanding, is approximately 120/80 mmHg. Indicators above 140/90 mm Hg. Art. referred to as high blood pressure. If the pressure gauge regularly shows less than 90/60 mmHg. Art. and even less than 100/60 mmHg. Art., then they talk about low blood pressure. If only one of the two indicators is very low, this is already enough for the development of the corresponding symptoms.

High pressure target

Whatever the reason for the rise in pressure, the result is the same - the wall of the blood vessels is overloaded, and the formed elements of the blood and large molecules, for example, glucose, like plates with sharp edges, scratch the vascular wall from the inside more and more. And the more microcracks there are, the faster cholesterol will be deposited in them, and the faster an atherosclerotic plaque will begin to form in this place. Well, some organs, which are usually called target organs of hypertension, suffer directly from high blood pressure - the heart is pumped up like a bodybuilder’s biceps, but this only affects its nerves and arteries, the kidneys become overgrown with connective tissue (nephrosclerosis develops), the optic nerve swells and vision deteriorates, the brain suffers. But... even for such serious complications, the count is not in hours or days. This is the result of prolonged, months of high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is constantly changing

However, blood pressure fluctuates and values ​​can change greatly in a short time, even between two heartbeats. The fact is that blood pressure depends on many factors: body position (whether a person is lying, standing or running), breathing rate, stress level, state of health, nutrition, what medications a person takes, and the time of day . For example, at night your blood pressure is usually very low. When we wake up, it increases quickly.

Danger

An increase in lower pressure often has no symptoms, and a person does not even know about it. They may be discovered during a routine examination or when visiting a doctor for other reasons. There is a misconception that only elevated upper blood pressure threatens health and life, but in fact, an increase in lower blood pressure is no less dangerous. The heart in this state is constantly tense and practically does not relax. The blood flow in it is disrupted, the disease progresses, structural changes begin to occur, which ultimately become irreversible.

It is important to know that high lower blood pressure cannot be ignored. It leads to organ dysfunction and, without treatment, can result in death within six months. There is a high risk of developing thrombosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Low blood pressure is often a good sign

It is possible that a person’s blood pressure is often low, that is, less than 100/60 mmHg. Art., but I feel excellent and have no complaints. This means that this blood pressure is optimal and helps a person stay healthy as they age.

Athletes tend to have lower overall blood pressure and a slower heart rate than the average person. Non-smokers, those who are of normal weight and who eat healthily also tend to have low blood pressure (which is a good sign), while smokers, people who are overweight, have a poor diet and are sedentary often have low blood pressure. have to deal with high blood pressure.

However, if your blood pressure is constantly low and you do not feel in good shape, then your blood pressure is definitely TOO low and you need to start looking for the causes and solutions to the problem. You may be experiencing the symptoms listed below.

Content:

• What is hypotension?
• Low blood pressure - causes
• Low blood pressure - symptoms?

Arterial pressure

– the main indicator of hemodynamics, which determines the speed and volume of blood flow in all tissues. The condition refers to polyetiological pathological processes. This means that it develops due to the influence of several causes. Clinical symptoms include manifestations of hemodynamic disturbances with oxygen starvation of tissues.

Symptoms of low blood pressure

Low blood pressure is manifested by the following symptoms:

• dizziness to the point of fainting,
• darkness before the eyes when standing up,
• visual impairment,
• noise in ears,
• headache,
• fatigue and decreased concentration,
• dyspnea,
• pallor,
• cold feet and hands.

A sudden drop in blood pressure can be dangerous. Even its decrease by only 20 mm Hg. Art. (eg, from 110 to 90 mm Hg in systole) sometimes causes dizziness and loss of consciousness because the brain does not receive enough blood as a result.

If blood pressure decreases as a result of significant blood loss (in an accident), serious infections or allergic reactions, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. Fortunately, this rarely happens.

What is hypotension

A condition in which the pressure is below 90/60 units is called hypotension. If it does not impair the quality of life, then most likely it is a congenital feature. However, in most hypotension is combined with unpleasant symptoms:

• one feels apathy, weakness and fatigue even after a deep, long sleep;
• concentration decreases;
• headache (usually pulsating in the temporal region);
• nausea sets in;
• it gets dark in the eyes, you feel dizzy;
• chills, sweats, especially sweaty palms and feet;
• thermoregulation is disrupted - the temperature drops to 35.5 - 36 oC;
• sometimes there is shortness of breath on exertion or a feeling of incomplete inspiration.

A complex of such phenomena, caused by poor blood supply to tissues, makes it difficult to concentrate, do work, and even just move around. Hypotension in elderly people suffering from atherosclerosis can provoke ischemic stroke and accelerate the development of angina pectoris.

Important! If, with a sharp drop in pressure, there is rapid shallow breathing, a rapid weak pulse, pallor, cold clammy skin, and confusion, you should call emergency help. The listed symptoms indicate acute hypotension, characteristic of a state of shock (collapse), often leading to cerebral hypoxia and death.

Types of low blood pressure

In general, low blood pressure conditions fall into three categories:

1. Primary hypotension

In this case, the causes of hypotension are unknown. It is believed that slender young women often face this problem. This form of low blood pressure also occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. However, in general, this group includes all hypotensive patients whose causes of low blood pressure remain unclear from the standpoint of official medicine.

1. Secondary hypotension

The adjective “secondary” means that hypotension is a consequence of another disease or the result of other known factors. This could be a hormonal imbalance (Addison's disease, low thyroid function), a side effect of medications taken, heart disease, or a phenomenon accompanying an infectious disease.

The advantage of secondary hypotension is that when the cause of low blood pressure is known, it is easier to find a solution.

1. Orthostatic hypotension

This form of low blood pressure manifests itself primarily in the fact that when getting up from a lying or sitting position, you feel dizzy, your vision becomes dark, and you feel like you need to grab onto something to avoid falling.

When a person stands up, the blood naturally goes down to the legs. A healthy body easily compensates for this displacement: the blood vessels narrow, the heart begins to beat faster. Thanks to this, the brain is supplied with blood.

In people suffering from orthostatic hypotension, this regulatory mechanism is disrupted. Blood pressure drops, and in the worst case, the person loses consciousness.

This form of low blood pressure can be caused by various reasons. Blood pressure does not necessarily remain low all the time - it may only happen on some days or only during certain periods, for example during pregnancy, during extreme heat or after lying in bed for a long time. Diabetes, heart problems, certain neurological disorders, and varicose veins also—along with the medications listed below—may increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension.

Those diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension should rise very slowly. You should not get up immediately from a lying position: you must first sit down, sit for one or two minutes and only then get up.

Sometimes blood pressure drops immediately after eating. This form of hypotension is called postprandial hypotension.

Symptoms of low blood pressure

In addition to feeling unwell, hypotension brings with it more significant problems:

• Reduced pressure leads to insufficient blood supply to all organs and oxygen starvation of the brain, which is more sensitive to lack of oxygen.
• The result is weakness, lethargy and fatigue.
• Signs of low blood pressure also include dizziness, often motion sickness in transport, daytime drowsiness and disrupted night sleep, which only intensifies fatigue and weakness.
• One of the most unpleasant symptoms of hypotension is orthostatic hypotension. When standing up suddenly and changing body position, dizziness becomes stronger.

There are primary and secondary hypotension.

Postprandial hypotension

In people with postprandial hypotension, too much blood flows into the digestive system after eating. Compensation mechanisms, which in a normal situation ensure blood supply to the brain as before, despite the digestion of food, do not work in this case.

Postprandial hypotension is often observed in hypertensive patients, which, of course, can be explained by incorrect dosage of drugs to lower blood pressure.

If you have postprandial hypotension, you should always eat only small portions and ensure that the food is healthy, nutrient-dense and does not contain isolated carbohydrates (sugar, white flour products).

Hypotension and its causes Low blood pressure (doctors also call it arterial hypotension) is considered a condition in which blood pressure drops below 100/60 mm Hg. in men and below 95/60 mm Hg. among women. For older people, blood pressure is below 105/65 mmHg. is already considered reduced. Low blood pressure is not necessarily a sign of poor health. There is also so-called physiological hypotension. At the same time, against the background of low blood pressure, the person feels great, has normal performance, and has no complaints. Pathologically low blood pressure brings many problems to people. Often, a predisposition to low blood pressure is inherited from parents who suffered from this disease. In most cases, this problem worries women. A tendency to low blood pressure is usually observed from childhood. Such children are lethargic, inactive, and quickly get tired of playing with their peers. Hypotonic adults are characterized by a so-called asthenic constitution - tall height and low weight. Most of them are thin people with pale skin. Who suffers from hypotension? The overwhelming majority of these are people who have been subjected to strong and prolonged psycho-emotional stress. Another possible cause may be prolonged mental stress, as a result of which the body falls into a state of decompensation. A traumatic brain injury can also leave behind a trace in the form of low blood pressure. Occupational hazards, such as high noise levels, vibration, overheating, can in turn lead to disruption of the functioning of the vasomotor centers. Many hypotensive patients suffered severe infections in childhood or their nutrition was disrupted. Pathologically low blood pressure is often recorded in people exposed to ionizing radiation. The most common cause of hypotension is autonomic vascular dysfunction. The next most common cause is pathology of the endocrine glands. Main symptoms. Most of the unpleasant symptoms of low blood pressure are associated with impaired blood circulation in the vessels of the brain. In this case, a throbbing pain is felt in the temples, less often in the back of the head. But pain in another location (in the forehead, heaviness in the temples) may also bother you. Often there are migraine-like pains localized in one half of the head. They may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain is dull and constant. Many people note the appearance of complaints when the weather changes, during magnetic storms. Dizziness and darkening of the eyes are often a concern, especially when suddenly getting out of bed. Some hypotensive patients experience fainting, but they are rare. Another symptom that is often found in hypotensive patients is weakness and fatigue. By the end of the working day, these people feel a decrease in performance. Concerned about absent-mindedness, memory loss. As a result of a slowdown in blood flow, the vital activity of the body decreases. Often, hypotensive people are irritable, emotionally unstable, subject to sudden mood swings, and prone to depression. Reduced vascular tone creates certain disturbances in the functioning of the heart, which can manifest itself as pain behind the sternum and in the cardiac region. These unpleasant sensations are permanent and may be accompanied by palpitations and sensations of interruptions in the functioning of the heart, not associated with physical or nervous stress. Hypotonic people seem to lack air; they yawn constantly. More often, sensations of lack of air occur during physical activity. People with low blood pressure often experience coldness and numbness in their hands and feet, and increased sensitivity to heat and cold. Emergency care for acute drop in blood pressure. What should you do if the person next to you feels worse, feels dizzy, gets dark in his eyes, turns pale? Unfortunately, this sometimes happens to hypotensive people, especially in a stuffy room in the hot sun. In this case, you need not to get confused and take the following measures: 1. The person needs to be put down as quickly as possible, since in this position the blood supply to the brain is facilitated. 2. The head should be positioned as low as possible; you should not place a pillow, as in this position the blood flow to the brain is hampered. 3. If it is not possible to lay the person down, you should sit him down, lowering his head as low as possible between his knees. Be sure to give water or tea to drink. 4. A couple of essential oils have a beneficial effect in such a situation. A bottle with a mixture of rosemary and camphor oils or peppermint oil just needs to be brought to the person’s nose. A few breaths are usually enough to restore well-being. You can put a few drops on a handkerchief and periodically bring it to your nose. Normalizing blood pressure includes various wellness procedures: regular physical exercise, massage, water and air procedures. They have a positive, tonic effect on the body, normalize the functioning of the nervous system, and therefore the functioning of internal organs. Herbs and herbal infusions have proven themselves to be effective against low blood pressure. However, before starting treatment, you must consult your doctor. Phytotherapy. 1. Cinnamon rose hips – 40 g; Lungwort herb – 30 g; stinging nettle leaves – 30 g; black currant fruits – 20 g; common barberry fruits – 20 g. 2. Common chicory root – 30 g; lanceolate plantain leaves – 30 g; black currant leaves – 30 g; stinging nettle leaves – 30 g; dandelion root – 20 g. 3. Red rowan fruits – 40 g; creeping wheatgrass rhizomes – 30 g; wild strawberry leaves – 25 g; small centaury herb – 10 g. The herbal infusions described in recipes 1-3 are prepared according to the same scheme: mix the prepared ingredients. Take 2 tbsp. spoons of herbal mixture and pour 400 ml of boiling water over them. Leave to infuse for 4 hours. Strain. Take 100 ml 3 times a day before meals. 4. Black currant leaves – 30 g; crushed cinnamon rose hips – 30 g; stinging nettle leaves – 30 g; silver birch leaves – 30 g; wild strawberry leaves – 20 g. 1 tbsp. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over a spoonful of herbal mixture. Bring to a simmer over low heat for 2 minutes. Then leave to infuse for 1 hour. Strain. Take ½ glass 3-4 times a day before meals. Simple rules for hypotension 1. For hypotension, the best medicine is movement, not lying on the couch. Physical activity improves the supply of oxygen to the brain and other organs. By loading your body, you will sleep better, and, therefore, you will feel more alert in the morning. 2. Eat lightly. Overeating leads to strain on the digestive processes and energy consumption. Eat as much as you need, but not to the point of feeling drowsy. 3. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast. Low sugar content is bad for brain function. If you are not hungry, you can eat some fruit. This will maintain the desired sugar level and saturate the body with vitamins and microelements. 4. Be careful with coffee. You should not overuse this invigorating drink, otherwise you risk becoming a coffee addict. A cup of coffee in the morning may be necessary for you. But she should follow a light breakfast, under no circumstances on an empty stomach. Try to drink no more than 2 cups of coffee a day, and after lunch it is better not to drink it at all. 5. For many hypotensive patients, daytime sleep is a good medicine. Don't neglect this in your free time. If you do not suffer from insomnia, 15-20 minutes of sleep during the day will do you good, replenish your energy and give you vigor. 6. Allow yourself to relax. Sometimes it's very difficult. But the body needs rest in order to regain strength and energy. Massage and aromatic baths not only relieve muscle fatigue, but also give energy. 7. Think positively. Our thinking largely determines our condition. Tune in for luck, imagine how you will feel when you achieve your goal. Instead of thinking about the hassles of the task at hand, think about the satisfaction you will have when you complete it.

Causes of low blood pressure

Often it is not possible to find out the cause of low blood pressure. This may be unpleasant for patients, but does not have serious consequences - unlike patients with chronically high blood pressure.

However, often the doctor is the cause of low blood pressure, which is not thought about at all. Of course, not directly, but indirectly. Many people have had their blood pressure rise during a doctor's appointment at some time in the past. They were prescribed drugs to lower blood pressure, patients diligently took the pills, and it did not occur to them to check whether this was still necessary.

1. Blood pressure lowering medications are the main cause of high blood pressure

In the summer of 2021, the results of a study on this topic were published. It covered more than 11,000 patients over the age of 70 years. 1,900 of them had low blood pressure. Imagine: 1,246 of them were taking blood pressure medications. Of those with the lowest blood pressure, 70 percent used such drugs.

Thus, in older people, the main cause of too low blood pressure is blood pressure-lowering medications.

Apparently, they are prescribed very often, without thinking about the fact that the patient's condition may change. Some people are prescribed other drugs over time (see point 2).

The interaction of medications is not always taken into account, and therefore a situation may arise when medications further reduce blood pressure, lowering it below a minimum. At the same time, it is precisely in older people that too low blood pressure often causes death and referral to the hospital - this fact was noted by the authors of the study.

Therefore, if, while taking medications to lower blood pressure, you feel unwell, often feel dizzy and weak, it is possible that the cause of this condition is not high blood pressure, but, on the contrary, too low blood pressure due to the medications. Consult your doctor about this!

The most well-known drugs that lower blood pressure include:

• diuretics (diuretics), such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, which are prescribed for high blood pressure, but also for edema, heart and kidney failure and hyperkalemia (excess potassium),
• alpha blockers, such as prazosin,
• beta blockers such as atenolol.

1. Medicines

In addition to special drugs, other drugs can reduce blood pressure and thus cause hypotension. Many of them were developed and are assigned to solve completely different problems.

• Medicines for Parkinson's disease, such as pramipexole, and products containing levodopa.
• Some (tricyclic) antidepressants, for example, doxepin, imipramine, etc.
• Viagra (sildenafil), especially in cases where nitroglycerin is also taken for heart support (against angina).
• Sedatives.
• Antihistamines.

1. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, due to increased stress on the body, blood pressure can drop significantly. As a rule, blood pressure returns to normal, at the latest after childbirth.

1. Heart problems

If the cause of too low pressure is heart problems, the matter is not limited to slight dizziness. Many other complaints also arise. Heart problems that can cause low blood pressure include bradycardia (very low heart rate), heart valve disease, myocardial infarction, or heart failure.

1. Functional disorders of the thyroid gland

Reduced thyroid function can also cause low blood pressure. Because both conditions (low glandular function and hypotension) have similar symptoms, patients sometimes think they “only” have low blood pressure. But in fact, there may be a malfunction of the thyroid gland.

1. Adrenal insufficiency

If adrenal function is weakened, low blood pressure may occur along with other symptoms. The adrenal glands, which sit directly on the kidneys, produce hormones including adrenaline and norepinephrine. Both of these hormones activate the body. When needed, they speed up the heart rate, improve blood flow to the muscles, promote the release of glucose and increase blood pressure.

In the case of chronic adrenal insufficiency, such an activating effect on blood pressure is absent, blood pressure becomes chronically low, and the person feels completely powerless.

1. Dehydration

Dehydration (lack of water) is also a serious cause of low blood pressure. It occurs in those who consume too little fluid or lose a lot of fluid due to certain circumstances (such as diabetes, fever, vomiting, diuretic abuse, extreme sports without drinking). Even slight dehydration can cause weakness, dizziness and fatigue.

1. Deficiency of essential substances

Lack of vitamin B12, folate (folic acid) or iron leads to anemia. The body loses its ability to produce enough red blood cells. As a result, anemia develops and blood pressure decreases. There is a feeling of weakness, loss of strength. Other B vitamins and vitamin C also improve blood pressure and can seriously help with low blood pressure.

Causes of low blood pressure

In old age, with vessels affected by atherosclerosis, low pressure can occur due to decreased tone of the smooth muscles of blood vessels and the heart muscle. During vagaries of weather and monthly hormonal fluctuations, the decrease in pressure can be significant.

Hypotension can be a consequence of nervous overstrain; it often develops as a consequence of infectious and other diseases, after viral and colds, flu, in the legs, as well as with insufficient or disordered nutrition, restrictive diets.

Low blood pressure: natural ways to improve your health

Even the list of possible causes already given shows that there are many ways to increase low blood pressure again. First you need to find out the cause of low blood pressure. When it is found, treatment begins.

This is not always easy: problems begin already in cases where low thyroid function or adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed. Often official data says that everything is fine, but a person feels completely different.

Adrenal insufficiency is detected by examining saliva. Specific measures should be discussed with a specialist in alternative medicine.

Gutron

This drug for the treatment of hypotension is available in drops and tablets and is sold by prescription. The active substance of the drug is midodrine (a group of adrenergic agonists that tone blood vessels).

“Gutron” is prescribed for hypotension, orthostatic hypotension (a sharp decrease in pressure when a person takes a horizontal position), and for weather dependence. The medicine moderately constricts blood vessels, improves their tone, which increases blood pressure and removes blood stagnation in the veins.

Contraindications include: high blood pressure, overactive thyroid gland, severe kidney disease, urinary retention and prostate adenoma.

When taking Gutron, the following side effects are possible: skin rash, tachycardia, nausea. This drug should not be taken with alcohol.

Gutron

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Japan

Gutron is a remedy for increasing blood pressure, and is also recommended for use in patients with urinary incontinence caused by bladder dysfunction.
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Contrast shower and Kneipp douches

Master the contrast shower and practice Kneipp douches. Yes, you can prescribe what is called hydrotherapy if your doctor agrees that it will help combat low blood pressure.

When dousing, the following must be taken into account. Warm water relaxes and relieves spasms, while cold water mobilizes. If you have low blood pressure, you should either use cold water or change the temperature of the water: this activates blood circulation and helps increase blood pressure.

Kneipp foot soaking is commonly practiced. To do this, cold water (temperature 20 degrees) is poured onto the foot from the knee, then directly onto the foot and again up the calf to the popliteal fossa, and then down again. After a warm shower, you can quickly douse yourself with cold water. If this is difficult for you, limit yourself to cold pouring on your feet.

Drink still water regularly

With low blood pressure, water helps not only from the outside, but also from the inside. If you are one of those people who often forgets to drink enough, the first thing you should do at the first symptoms of low blood pressure is drink a large glass of water. Often this is already enough.

As stated above, not drinking enough fluids can seriously aggravate, if not cause, low blood pressure. Therefore, regularly drink 30 ml per kilogram of weight per day. To do this, it is best to choose high-quality still or lightly carbonated water.

To enhance the effect of a glass of water for severe dizziness, cook vegetable broth and drink it or simply add a little salt to the water.

Fighting sleepiness

To avoid falling asleep on the go all day, it is recommended to drink coffee: in moderation, 2-3 cups. Hypotonic patients can indulge in this drink in the evenings without harm to their health. It does not cause insomnia, on the contrary: it returns a comfortable physical state and makes it easier to fall asleep. The next morning after drinking coffee, such people also feel more energetic.

But you need to be careful with green tea. Although it contains caffeine, other active substances in the drink dilate blood vessels, lowering blood pressure even more. For hypotension, strong black is more beneficial.

If you are very tired during the day, it is recommended to take a short rest: sleep for about 1–1.5 hours. This will allow the nervous system to reboot and give strength for the second half of the day. If this is not possible, it is advisable to have on hand collections of invigorating plants: lemongrass, eleutherococcus, ginseng root. In extreme cases, a can of energy tonic will do. But you can drink it no more than twice a month. Otherwise, the opposite effect will occur - vascular tone will decrease.

Check the level of vital elements in the body

Get tested for essential minerals and vital substances (vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, etc.) and check whether your diet contains enough of the necessary elements. To do this, you can contact a healthy nutrition consultant. If in doubt or found to be deficient in specific substances, take appropriate nutritional supplements.

You can almost always take magnesium and a high-quality B vitamin complex, even without testing. Magnesium is a mineral that is involved in many reactions in the body and at the same time is present in insufficient quantities in modern food. Therefore, in most cases, taking it is only beneficial.

The same can be said about B vitamins. In addition, these vitamins dissolve in water, and therefore, in case of excess intake into the body, they are simply excreted in the urine. Along with vitamin B12, vitamin B5 is also especially important for low blood pressure: its deficiency can provoke hypotension.

Vitamin C deficiency is also a cause of low blood pressure. This is because vitamin C stimulates blood circulation, and therefore blood pressure.

Caffeine

This drug is sold both in tablets and in a solution for subcutaneous administration. Caffeine is a natural nervous system stimulant that stimulates the nervous system, increases vascular tone, improves blood circulation and increases blood pressure. “Caffeine” is prescribed for moderate hypotension, decreased performance, general malaise, vascular headaches, and drowsiness.

Read also: Top 10 best blood thinners Blood thinners

It is believed that “Caffeine” is a safe medicine, but there are contraindications to its use: the body’s sensitivity to its components, age under 12 years, severe heart disease (cardiosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attack), mental disorders, hypertension, arrhythmia, insomnia, depression. It is prescribed with caution to those who suffer from glaucoma and other vision problems.

Side effects from taking Caffeine include rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, trembling, and dizziness. After the effects of caffeine wear off, a person may experience weakness, inhibition of the nervous system, or general malaise.

Caffeine

JSC "Tatkhimfarmpreparaty", Russia; Borisov medical plant drugs, Belarus; PrJSC Pharmaceutical Company “DARNITSA”, Ukraine; Novosibkhimpharm OJSC, Russia; JSC Dalkhimfarm, Russia; "Moskhimfarmpreparaty" named after. N. A. Semashko, Russia; PJSC Scientific and Production Center "Borshchagovsky Chemical Plant", Ukraine

A drug whose range of uses includes: Diseases accompanied by depression of the central nervous system, functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems (including poisoning with opioid analgesics, infectious diseases), cerebral vascular spasms, decreased mental and physical performance, drowsiness.
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Check your vitamin D levels

Vitamin D levels are particularly important: today in Central Europe there is usually not enough vitamin D, which is responsible for many chronic diseases. Vitamin D is the sun vitamin, that is, the vitamin that is formed in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Food contains very little of it. Thus, a lack of sunlight usually means a deficiency of vitamin D.

Among other things, it is involved in regulating blood pressure. Therefore, a lack of this vitamin can contribute to low blood pressure. A study published in 2014 found that vitamin D deficiency increases orthostatic hypotension, especially in older people.

Rule out cryptopyrroluria

If you have symptoms other than low blood pressure, such as depression, hair loss, cracked lips, skin problems, or hormonal imbalances, consider getting tested for cryptopyrroluria.

This metabolic disorder also causes low blood pressure.

If the cause of low blood pressure cannot be found or if the condition does not improve despite all efforts to improve your lifestyle, it is usually recommended to simply move more or drink small amounts of alcohol or strong coffee. These measures, with the exception of physical activity, cannot be called healthy. Caffeine and alcohol have only a short-term effect, which means they cannot solve the problem for a long time.

However, there are methods and solutions that allow you to increase blood pressure not only reliably, but also without harm to health.

Diagnostics

During the initial examination, a general practitioner or cardiologist assesses the constitution and nutritional status, and conducts a physical examination of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In addition to standard blood pressure measurements, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring is recommended to obtain a complete picture. A diagnostic search involves the appointment of a set of laboratory and instrumental methods:

• Blood tests.
  The hemogram often has a reduced content of hemoglobin and red blood cells, and with infectious shock, high leukocytosis is observed. During a biochemical blood test, attention is paid to the level of total protein, electrolytes, and cholesterol. For symptoms of anemia, serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels are examined.
• Hormonal studies.
  If persistently low blood pressure is detected, the level of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 and the pituitary hormone TSH must be measured. The concentration of catecholamines and adrenal steroid hormones is determined in the blood and urine. According to the indications, the level of insulin and C-peptide is assessed.
• ECG.
  Used as a screening method to assess the electrical activity of the heart. If cardiac arrhythmias and signs of myocardial ischemia are detected on the cardiogram, echocardiography is necessary. With echocardiography, the contractility of the heart is assessed and structural anomalies are found.
• Neurological examination.
  In the absence of other causes of low blood pressure, the patient is referred to a neurologist. To assess the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, the doctor performs breath-holding tests during inhalation and exhalation, orthostatic and clinostatic tests.

Rosemary - a remedy for low blood pressure

Rosemary essential oil is believed to effectively stimulate blood circulation, increase blood pressure and refresh the body, so much so that patients with high blood pressure should not take it.

However, those with low blood pressure can use rosemary oil in a variety of ways.

Buy a bottle of rosemary essential oil. If necessary, open it, bring it to your nose and inhale deeply. You can add a few drops to an aroma lamp.

In addition, rosemary essential oil is added to shower gel (1 drop per serving) or to the bath (so many drops for the scent of rosemary to be intense).

Camphor (Spanish) rosemary is best suited - it contains more camphor, which is the active ingredient in rosemary oil that affects blood pressure.

You can drink rosemary tea in the morning if you like it.

Drug therapy for hypotension

Pharmacy medications will help quickly bring low blood pressure back to normal, before taking which you should definitely consult a doctor, take into account contraindications and possible side effects. Medicines for hypotension are divided into several groups.

Plant adaptogens

They gently stimulate the central nervous system, eliminate drowsiness and effectively increase blood pressure. Hypotonic patients are recommended to have one of the following tinctures in their home medicine cabinet:

• ginseng root;
• Eleutherococcus;
• rhodiola;
• lemongrass;
• lures;
• peony

Depending on how much the pressure has decreased, take from 15 to 30 drops of any of the tinctures. In pharmacies you can also find tablets on a natural basis - Pantocrine, Saparal, Caffeine.

Means for activating the nervous system

Medicines stimulate the central nervous system and mental activity, increase physical activity, eliminate drowsiness, and increase concentration. This group includes:

• Caffeine + sodium benzoate;
• Cordiamine;
• Akrinor;
• Etimizole;
• Symptol.

Other drugs

Blood pressure quickly increases Heptamil tablets, Niketamide, Midamine drops, Noradrenaline and Mezaton injection solutions. A popular traditional remedy is Citramon, which includes paracetamol, caffeine and acetylsalicylic acid. This medicine thins the blood and activates blood flow, as a result, the organs are better saturated with oxygen.

Licorice - a remedy for low blood pressure

Licorice is often used for coughs, as it has an antiviral effect, and for inflammation of the gastric mucosa, since this plant successfully fights even Helicobacter pylori.

Licorice contains so-called glycyrrhizic acid (also called glycyrrhizin), which, in addition to these effects, is known to increase blood pressure.

In 2015, the results of a study on one 65-year-old patient were published. She had high blood pressure, but it was stabilized with medication. Suddenly she needed emergency help: her blood pressure rose to 200/140 mmHg. Art.

Intravenous administration of blood pressure-lowering drugs did not produce results. The woman spent seven days in the hospital, five of them in the intensive care unit. Finally, the blood pressure was lowered with the help of three appropriate medications. It later turned out that this patient loved licorice candies, and ate two to four packages a day. Licorice is made from licorice root extract.

A similar study published the same year involved a 45-year-old woman who told her doctor that she had been experiencing hot flashes, sweating, and headaches for 4 months. It turned out that she had high blood pressure and her calcium levels were low. It was later learned that this patient drank six cups of licorice tea daily to wean herself off coffee. Two weeks after she stopped drinking this tea, the symptoms disappeared.

Thus, it is clear that licorice root can increase blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already high, it is better not to drink licorice tea. When blood pressure is too low, this tea in moderation can be very beneficial.

Glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root blocks certain enzymes, resulting in the activation of the stress hormone cortisol, which then increases blood pressure.

Today, experts do not recommend consuming more than 100 mg of glycyrrhizin per day - precisely because this substance affects blood pressure, and for most people it is already very high.

50 mg of licorice (some varieties) contains 100 mg of glycyrrhizin. If licorice contains more than 200 mg of glycyrrhizin per 100 g, in Germany it can only be sold in pharmacies and not as a sweet in supermarkets.

Many modern sweets containing licorice contain artificial flavors anyway and only a little real licorice, which means little glycyrrhizin. Therefore, licorice is a very unreliable source of glycyrrhizin if it is necessary to increase blood pressure. Exceptions are possible only if data on glycyrrhizin content are obtained from the manufacturer.

Dried licorice root, which is sold cut into slices in tea shops, contains 200 to 600 mg of glycyrrhizin per 5-15 g. Thus, you can brew a tea from 5-10 g of licorice root daily and drink it throughout the day.

It is officially not recommended to consume licorice products for more than four to six weeks, but this advice applies to all medicinal teas. Periodic breaks avoid addiction and prevent possible side effects.

The glycyrrhizin found in licorice, when taken over a long period of time, can actually cause symptoms in susceptible individuals that indicate elevated cortisol levels. These are, for example, accumulations of fluid, which are manifested by swelling in the face and joints of the feet, increased blood sugar levels, disturbances in the functioning of the heart and, of course, increased blood pressure, although for hypotensive patients this effect is desirable.

But two cups of licorice root tea a day won't cause any problems and will still help raise your blood pressure.

Diagnosis and treatment

Considering the fact that hypotension can serve as a symptom of many diseases or be an independent pathology, an examination is necessary to exclude diseases that could lead to a decrease in pressure. In this regard, there is no strictly defined list of examinations. To understand why the patient has low blood pressure, a diagnostic plan is drawn up and prescribed strictly individually, taking into account the patient’s history and previous diseases.

When establishing the cause of the disease, therapy usually uses complex methods aimed at restoring and strengthening the vascular wall and treating the underlying disease, if required, strengthening the autonomic nervous system and immune processes. General stimulants are prescribed, for example, drugs containing caffeine.

Many herbal preparations, so-called “folk remedies,” also have a tonic effect, which can also help with low blood pressure (hypotension). Self-administration of such drugs, however, requires great caution, because the same substances can have different effects on different people. Sometimes a paradoxical reaction and deterioration of the patient's condition may occur.

You should not self-medicate for hypotension! Only a doctor can prescribe the drugs necessary for a particular patient after he has examined the patient and established the cause of hypotension and the characteristics of its course.

Tulsi - a remedy for low blood pressure

In 2013, the results of a study were published on the effects of the so-called holy basil (tulsi) on low blood pressure in women aged 18 to 30 years. Participants in the experiment were given juice from 15 mixed basil leaves twice a day. After mixing, the juice was filtered and a teaspoon of honey was added to it for sweetness.

After 30 days, it was found that the blood pressure, which had previously been too low, had increased significantly. Today tulsi is sold in stores and in our latitudes, which means you can stock up on this plant and make juice or smoothie from the leaves.

Medicinal herbs and plants such as marjoram, ginger, lovage and hyssop will also help you increase your blood pressure. They can be brewed or used in cooking, such as added to salads and sauces.

Preventive measures

If you have occasional problems with blood pressure, you should not always start with taking medications. In 80% of cases, hypotension occurs due to uncontrolled use of drugs for hypertension, lack of sleep, overwork, neuroses, and lack of vitamins C, E, B12. Therefore, for prevention, it is worth establishing a daily routine, increasing physical activity, and including healthy foods and drinks in the menu.

General recommendations:

• sleep at least 9 hours at night;
• regularly ventilate the premises;
• do exercises, train with a manual expander, swim, walk at least 2 hours a day - physical exercise tones blood vessels;
• drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day (and more in hot weather);
• do not stand in one place for a long time, when standing, do warm-ups (walk, jump, squat);
• take a contrast shower;
• avoid prolonged stay in a hot bath or stuffy room;
• regularly eat vegetables and fruits, fat-containing foods;
• do not abuse alcohol.

How to eat with low blood pressure

If possible, split meals should be arranged. It is advisable to divide the daily amount of food into 6-8 times, eat in small portions. The combination of products is selected so that every breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack is balanced. For hypotension, the menu includes the following products, dishes and spices:

1. Fatty fish, beef liver, brains, red meat. It is better to boil, bake, steam them in order to preserve the maximum of useful components. The liver is used to make pates or add to salads.
2. Fried meat, vegetables. They increase cholesterol levels and blood pressure. You need to eat fatty foods in moderation so as not to harm your digestive system. If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, such dishes are undesirable.
3. Carbohydrates. There are many of them in confectionery and sweet baked goods. Such food promotes vasoconstriction and increases blood pressure, but in large quantities it is harmful and is contraindicated for diabetics.
4. Porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal), beans, peas, beans.
5. Vegetables, fruits, berries containing a lot of flavonoids and iron. These are carrots, beets, pomegranates, raspberries, currants, dogwoods, strawberries, citrus fruits, and greens. Every day they should be eaten up to 800 g in 5-6 meals in the form of side dishes, additives to sandwiches, smoothies, compotes, fruit salads.
6. Salt, onion, garlic, horseradish, cloves, cinnamon. Salt retains fluid, and spices constrict blood vessels.

Smoked meats, marinades, salted fish, and cheeses will help increase blood pressure.

Herbal infusions and decoctions

If you are prone to hypotension, take infusions of herbs and berries. 1.5 tbsp. spoons of vegetable raw materials are poured into 300 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid, leave for 4 hours and filter. Drink the prepared drink three times a day, half a glass before meals. Here are some effective formulations:

1. 20 g of black currant berries and barberry fruits, 40 g of rose hips, 30 g of lungwort herb
2. 30 g each of black currant leaf, chicory root, plantain leaf, nettle herb, 20 g dandelion root
3. 40 g red rowan, 30 g each wheatgrass and strawberry leaves, 10 g centaury herb

In folk medicine for hypotension, a decoction of a mixture of birch leaves, nettles, strawberries, black currants, and rose hips is used. 4 tbsp. spoons of the collection are poured with a liter of hot water, brought to a boil and boiled for 2 minutes. Let it brew for an hour, filter, drink 100 ml before meals.

When using folk remedies, do not forget to check your blood pressure with a tonometer.