 low blood sugar

 abrupt change in position

 anemia
 autonomic nervous system disorders
 dehydration
 diet
 eating a big meal
 thyroid conditions

Conditions that can cause low blood pressure

Medical conditions that can cause low blood pressure include:

1. Pregnancy. 
2. Heart and heart valve conditions. 

3. Hormone-related diseases (endocrine disorders). 

4. Dehydration. 

5. Blood loss. Losing a lot of blood, such as from an injury or internal bleeding, also reduces blood
volume, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure.

6. Severe infection (septicemia). When an infection in the body enters the bloodstream, it can
lead to a life-threatening drop in blood pressure called septic shock.

7. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include a

sudden and dramatic drop in blood pressure.

8. Lack of nutrients in the diet. Low levels of vitamin B-12, folate and iron can keep the body from
producing enough red blood cells (anemia), which can lead to low blood pressure.

What to eat
Eating certain types of food can help you raise your blood pressure. Monitor your symptoms
and regularly measure your blood pressure to see what works. Try to consume:
 Drink coffee with your meals

 More fluids. 
 Foods high in vitamin B-12. 

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  Foods high in folate. Too little folate can also contribute to anemia. Examples of
folate-rich foods include asparagus, beans, lentils, citrus fruits, leafy greens, eggs, and
liver.
 Salt. Salty foods can increase blood pressure. Try eating canned soup, smoked fish,
cottage cheese, pickled items, and olives.
 Caffeine. Coffee and caffeinated tea may temporarily spike blood pressure by
stimulating the cardiovascular system and boosting your heart rate.

Tips for avoiding low blood pressure

 Eat small meals more frequently. Large meals may cause more dramatic drops in
blood pressure, as your body works harder to digest larger meals.
 Drink more water and limit alcohol. Dehydration lowers blood pressure.

Treatment for hypotension

 Lifestyle changes
 Stay hydrated
 Learn your emotional or stress triggers
 Move around
 Take your time when standing up
 Change your eating habits

Medical treatment

Some forms of hypotension may require medical treatment. Medical treatment for low blood
pressure can include:

 Medication for an underlying condition. When an underlying condition is causing

low blood pressure, your treatment may include medication for that condition. Your
doctor may recommend medication for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or
infection.
 Medication to raise blood pressure. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe daily
medication to raise severely low blood pressure. This is more likely in cases of severe
orthostatic hypotension when other treatments have not helped.
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  Emergency treatment for shock. Shock-induced hypotension is the most serious
form of low blood pressure. Dangerously low blood pressure must be treated
immediately. Emergency personnel may give you fluids and other treatments to
increase your blood pressure and stabilize your vital signs.

How to raise low blood pressure

If you’re dealing with hypotension, the first step is making an appointment with your doctor.
After discussing your medical history, lifestyle, and other factors, your doctor may change
your medication or suggest certain lifestyle changes to get to the root of the issue.

It’s important not to stop taking any medications or change dosages without talking to a
healthcare professional first. The same is true of dietary or other changes.

1. Drink plenty of water

Dehydration can sometimes lead to low blood pressure. Some people may have
hypotension even with mild dehydration.

You can also get dehydrated by losing water too quickly. This can happen through vomiting,
severe diarrhea, fever, strenuous exercise, and excess sweating.

Medications such as diuretics may also cause dehydration. Drink more water by using a
portable water bottle. Use an alarm or timer to remind you to take a sip.

2. Eat a balanced diet

Low blood pressure and other side effects may occur if you’re not getting enough nutrients.

Low levels of vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron can cause anemia. This condition happens
when your body can’t make enough blood and can cause low blood pressure.

Your doctor may recommend changes to your daily diet and taking supplements.
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3. Eat smaller meals

You can get low blood pressure after eating a big meal, although this is more common in
older adults. This happens because blood flows to your digestive tract after you eat.
Normally, your heart rate increases to help balance blood pressure.

You can prevent low blood pressure by eating smaller meals. Also, limiting your carbs can
help keep blood pressure more stable after eating. Here are more suggestions for foods you
can eat and eating habits you can practice.

4. Limit or avoid alcohol

Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration. It can also interact with medications and cause low
blood pressure.

5. Eat more salt

Sodium helps to raise blood pressure. However, it can raise blood pressure too much. It can
also lead to heart disease. Ask your doctor how much is right for you.

Add table salt to whole, unprocessed foods. This helps to control how much salt you’re
eating. Avoid refined and processed salty foods.

6. Check your blood sugar

Diabetes and high blood sugar levels may lead to low blood pressure. Volume depletion can
occur from the diuresis that follows high blood sugar levels. This is when your body tries to
expel glucose via increased urination.

Consider using a home monitor to check your blood sugar levels throughout the day. See
your doctor to find out the best diet, exercise, and medication plan to help balance blood
sugar levels.

7. Get your thyroid checked

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Thyroid conditions are common. Hypothyroidism occurs when you don’t produce enough
thyroid hormones. This can lead to low blood pressure.

A simple blood test can determine whether you have hypothyroidism. You may need
medication and a new nutrition plan to help boost your thyroid function.

8. Wear compression stockings

Elastic stockings or socks can help prevent blood from pooling in your legs. This helps to
relieve orthostatic or postural hypotension which is low blood pressure due to standing,
laying down, or sitting too much.

People who are on bed rest may need compression braces to help pump blood from the
legs. Orthostatic hypotension is more common in older adults. It happens to up to 11
percent of middle-aged people and 30 percent of older adults.

9. Take medications

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help treat low blood pressure. These drugs help to
treat orthostatic hypotension:

 fludrocortisone, which helps to raise blood volume

 midodrine (Orvaten), which helps to narrow blood vessels to raise blood pressure

If someone’s BP is dangerously low from sepsis, other medications may be used to raise

blood pressure. These include:

 alpha-adrenoceptor agonists
 epinephrine
 norepinephrine
 phenylephrine
 vasopressin analogs

Sometimes dopamineTrusted Source is prescribed to treat low pressure, too.

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10. Treat infections

Some serious bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can cause low blood pressure. Your
doctor can find out if you have an infection with a blood test. Treatment includes IV
antibiotics and antiviral drugs.

Underlying causes of low blood pressure

There are several causes of low blood pressure. Some are temporary and can be easily
fixed. Low blood pressure may also be a sign of a health issue or emergency condition.
Treatment may be necessary.

Several health conditions can cause low blood pressure. These include:

 Addison’s disease (low adrenal hormones)

 anaphylaxis (a serious allergic reaction)
 anemia
 blood loss
 bradycardia (low heart rate)
 dehydration
 diabetes or low blood sugar
 heart attack or heart failure
 a heart valve problem
 hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
 liver failure
 parathyroid disease
 pregnancy
 septic shock (the result of a serious infection)
 orthostatic hypotension or postural low blood pressure
 trauma or head injury
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Diagnosing and treating these conditions can help balance blood pressure. Your doctor may
recommend simple tests such as:

 blood tests to check hormone levels, blood sugar levels, and for infections
 an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor to check heart rhythm and function
 an echocardiogram to check your heart health
 an exercise stress test to check your heart health
 a tilt table test to check low blood pressure due to changes in body position
 the Valsalva maneuver, a breathing test to check for nervous system causes of low
blood pressure

Managing low blood pressure

Having low blood pressure once in a while isn’t likely a cause for concern.

Tell your doctor about any related symptoms. Keep a journal of your symptoms and what
you were doing when they began.

This can help your doctor diagnose the cause of your low blood pressure, especially if
you’ve tried making changes to your diet and lifestyle and still aren’t seeing your BP at a
healthy level.

Recognizing triggers

Learn to recognize triggers and symptoms. Put your head down or lay down if you feel dizzy
or lightheaded. These symptoms usually pass quickly. Children and teens who have low
blood pressure due to body position typically grow out of it.

If you have orthostatic hypotension, avoid symptom triggers, such as standing too much.

Emotionally upsetting situationsTrusted Source can also lead to low blood pressure, and
although these can’t always be avoided, it’s helpful to be aware of how stress and other

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factors may cause your blood pressure to drop. It’s possible too that having low blood
pressure may lead to depression.