How To Raise Blood Pressure: 4 Things To Try For A Boost

When it comes to raising your blood pressure, you may have many questions, from how much water should you drink a day to whether or not exercising regularly is a good idea. This is because all these are important, and trying to pick which one is best for your body and your day-to-day life can sometimes be confusing.

So, here we will dive into how you can raise your blood pressure through incorporating several things into your daily routine.

First things first, what is low blood pressure? 

Low blood pressure also known as hypotension is incredibly subjective because a normal reading ranges between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg but numbers outside this are also okay. Generally, a drop to 20mmHg can cause issues for some but not others.^[1]

How To Raise Blood Pressure?

To raise blood pressure the symptoms and cause of hypotension need to be examined before using medication, high blood pressure supplements, or making lifestyle changes. This is because of the subjectivity of low blood pressure and how different causes of low blood pressure need different things.

Moreover, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests following the 15-15 rule as a temporary solution to low blood sugar. This can be done through having 15 grams of carbs every 15 minutes^[2] until you reach your desired mmHg levels.

What Causes Low Blood Pressure? 

Since blood pressure tends to vary from one person to another, its causes will also vary from one person to another in accordance with the^[3];

• Age
• Medical history or genetics
• Overall health

These causes range from ^(3-5):

• Nutrient deficiencies^[4] like Iron, Vitamin B12 lead to anemia
• Prolonged standing
• Stress 
• Prolonged bed rest
• Dehydration
• Pregnancy
• Certain medications^[5] that treat depression, Parkinson’s disease, or high blood pressure
• Hormonal disorders 
• Shock
• Diabetes
• Heart conditions^[6] like arrhythmias also referred to as irregular heartbeat
• Severe blood loss or internal bleeding

All these causes are also determined by the types of low blood pressure you may have. A good example of this is when a person has Orthostatic hypotension it only affects them when they stand up from a sitting or lying position which is unlike the persons affected by Neurally mediated hypotension. 

Additionally, adults aged 50 years and above have a higher chance for low blood pressure symptoms such as dizziness upon standing or after a meal showing the importance of understanding the dangers of hypotension.

Dangers Of Having Low Blood Pressure

Having low blood pressure is not necessarily a danger in itself but the complications that come after are what may harm and cause injuries to a person. Additionally, the causes and symptoms of hypotension can also indicate bigger underlying health issues or complications you may have.

With that in mind, here are some of the dangers of having low blood pressure^[7];

1. Insufficient blood flow to organs: This is due to the drop in blood pressure in your body which causes your body’s vital organs not to get enough oxygen and nutrients. In some cases, this can lead to shock with symptoms like cold and sweaty skin, rapid breathing, a weak and rapid pulse, and a blue tone to the skin.
2. Dizziness and fainting: even the sighted change in your blood pressure’s mmHg can cause dizziness and fainting. A sudden fall can sometimes be dangerous and big drops that are caused by severe bleeding or infections and sometimes allergic reactions need to be taken very seriously. 
3. Falls and injuries: This is especially among older adults who have a higher chance of falling and injuring themselves. These falls can lead to more health complications like fractures, concussions, and many others. 
4. Shock: Insufficient blood flow to organs causes shock as mentioned before. Shock is simply defined as a condition where your heart can’t get your body the oxygen it needs to function. There are several types of shock and the common symptom is low blood pressure. 

Palpitations and increased pain sensitivity are other dangers of low blood pressure noted through research. 

How To Raise Blood Pressure?

After going through the causes and dangers of low blood pressure, let’s have a look at how you can boost your blood pressure whenever it drops. 

Drink Lots Of Water

When low blood pressure is caused by dehydration, drinking water can help take the body off of hypotension. When you drink water it adds to the overall content of the fluid in your body, this fluid then adds to the blood volume giving the heart more to pump and making sure there is adequate blood flow to the body’s organs^[8].

Drinking water can also act to counteract dehydration that causes blood vessels to constrict hence leading to low blood pressure.

Wear Compression Stockings

Wearing compression stockings helps with improving blood flow and preventing blood from pooling in the lower extremities which helps with orthostatic hypotension. Additionally, wearing these stockings can help with reducing symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness^[9].

It is important to note that compression stockings may not help treat low blood pressure caused by other conditions. 

Avoid Or Limit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol causes dehydration in your body which is one of the main causes of low blood pressure. Consider either of these two options with your diet, lifestyle, and exercise routine in mind to lower your blood pressure. 

Eating More Frequently In Smaller Portions

If diagnosed with postprandial hypotension, eating smaller portions of meals several times a day will aid in boosting your blood pressure. This is because eating large portions can cause acute hypotension in this particular group.

When To See A Doctor   

If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms or are concerned about your overall health due to genetics or any other factors you should go see your doctor. Some specific instances that you should go see your doctor are when you are experiencing persistent symptoms, from fainting to dizziness or even something like difficulty concentrating. You should see your practitioner. 

Whenever you’re having frequent fainting episodes or worsening of any of the symptoms, see your doctor to get a diagnosis and ensure you are on the right track towards recovery. 

Conclusion

Having low blood pressure is subjective as it affects people differently due to various causes mentioned throughout this piece. This does not mean it cannot be maintained through ways like drinking enough water, wearing compression stockings, and many more. 

When choosing a preferred way to aid in raising your blood pressure, always keep in mind your age, lifestyle choices, and in some cases genetics. These can determine your susceptibility to hypotension and how you can raise your low blood pressure.

Always remember to maintain a proper diet and a sustainable exercise routine to ensure you are always in tip-top shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I raise my blood pressure instantly?

It is possible to raise your blood pressure instantly but the effect will only last temporarily. These measures should also not replace actual medical care especially of you have chronic low blood pressure. 

How can drinking water help with raising blood pressure?

When you do not drink enough water, your body becomes dehydrated. Dehydration makes the blood thicker because of the overall reduced water content in your blood which causes blood pressure to lower. Drinking water helps reduce dehydration. 

How long does it take for blood pressure to go down after drinking water?

Normally it takes 60 minutes after water ingestion for the blood pressure to lower.