genuinegirly

Thought some of the health-nuts on the TFP would have some tips for me.

How do I raise my blood pressure?

Here's why I'd like to know:

I have low blood pressure (hypotension). I have been exhibiting symptoms since childhood, and have sought medical attention on the matter a couple of times. Dehydration is frequently a cause for hypotension, and each time I visited a physician I was advised to consume salt, protein, and fluids. Recently this has not been enough to keep me from feeling dizzy, blacking out, and fainting. A recent development: I have also begun to experience dizziness and a mild headache when I stand or sit upright for a prolonged amount of time. I find that as I lay down and breathe deeply, the problem subsides. There seem to be all sorts of tips out there for lowering blood pressure, but I'd like to know how to raise mine. I'd rather try to find an appropriate nutritional balance on my own before visiting another physician about the matter.

A bit of a personal health profile, to help with suggestions:

I am a healthy female, age 26.
I am physically trim and active.
I run a mile or two nearly every morning (haven't been running recently due to the dizziness)
I am an ovo/lacto vegetarian
I have low cholesterol (good and bad)

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

Baraka_Guru

From what I know, there aren't many nutritional solutions to low blood pressure beyond what your physician has already recommended. Just be sure to balance your electrolytes and stay well-hydrated. You might want to consider eating more bananas, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, dairy, nuts, and whole grains to ensure you are getting enough, and don't be afraid of adding more salt to your diet if your intake is currently pretty low.

Other than that, have you ruled out underlying heart, blood, or nerve problems? I've read that these can be the more dangerous causes of low blood pressure.

Have you ruled out anemia?

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

PonyPotato

Do you take any supplements or medication?

I would personally experiment with taking in more liquid volume. You say that dehydration is a problem, so try to add water to a lot of what you eat. Soups (canned soups will add some sodium for you, which can help raise blood pressure), smoothies, chewing on ice, making sure you always have a bottle of water/juice handy to keep yourself nearly over-hydrated.

Try to make sure that you're not taking in many diuretics if you can. Coffee, tea, overdosing on water-soluble vitamins - try to cut them out for a little while.

Have you tried running in the afternoon/evening? I used to work with my trainer in the morning, and would experience quite a few bouts of dizziness and a reduction in strength. When I moved to working out with her in the evenings, I was able to go further, harder, and faster and rarely had the dizziness issues. In my case, it may have been low blood sugar in the morning from a lack of food in my system, as well as dehydration. You might want to try moving your runs to the evening and see if that helps. Also, eat and drink immediately upon waking up (this is where I recommend a smoothie, then some solid food to fill out your breakfast an hour or so later).

Good luck!

__________________
"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Baraka_Guru

It should be noted that excessive hydration can dilute your sodium levels, so balance is the key.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

PonyPotato

That is why I specifically suggested non-water hydration. Soups will increase sodium levels, and just adding an amount of water/ice to what you eat and drink won't totally overdo it, but may help increase blood volume.

I suppose I meant to state that with the increase in fluid, increase protein and whatnot as well.. but she's already been told that.

__________________
"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel