Medical expert of the article
New publications
What to do with low pressure?
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The question of what to do with low blood pressure rises only in front of those who, amid abnormally low figures of blood pressure, complain of reduced vitality, rapid fatigue, drowsiness, periodic dizziness and increased heart rate, headaches in weather changes.
In addition, low blood pressure is a pathology, if in addition to the above symptoms you are disturbed by sleep disturbances and seizures of seemingly causeless irritability and frequent changes in mood.
A sufficiently large number of people at a constant low level of pressure feel absolutely normal, and this means that this decrease is physiological. That is, the disease is not.
To begin with, in clinical medicine, low blood pressure is considered to be a systolic (upper) pressure below 95-100 mm Hg. Art. And diastolic (lower) pressure less than 60-65 mm Hg. Art. But the generally accepted norm of AD is not dogma, and every rule has exceptions.
What should I do if I have low blood pressure during pregnancy?
Any deviation from the norm has a reason. To begin with, the etiology of reducing the level of pressure can be covered in a hereditary predisposition and asthenic type of constitution; chronic fatigue; associated with stress and depression neurotic condition; iron deficiency anemia or vitamin deficiency. With heart failure, certain violations of the endocrine system (in the presence of diabetes, pancreatitis, etc.), with osteochondrosis, gastric ulcer and violations of the hormonal balance in the body, blood pressure can also "play down".
The last - the change in the usual level of hormones during pregnancy - is the main reason for the decrease in the tone of blood vessels in women in an "interesting position." During the entire period of bearing the child after the level of blood pressure in pregnant women is constantly monitored. And during pregnancy, it often reveals a change in pressure downward. What should I do if I have low blood pressure during pregnancy?
First, try to understand the most complicated "biomechanics" of this special physiological state. As a rule, the decrease in the level of pressure is expressed in the same weakness, increased drowsiness, noise in the ears, dyspnea and, quite often, short-term loss of consciousness (fainting). These symptoms are manifested, mainly in the morning. Doctors say that such changes in the state of health during the first months of pregnancy are associated not only with the restructuring of the hormonal system, but also with the dehydration of the body of a woman due to vomiting that accompany toxicosis. Then the question arises what to do with very low pressure, which is fraught with placental insufficiency and, as a result, pathologies of fetal development or termination of pregnancy.
Physicians know exactly what to do with low blood pressure during pregnancy. It is necessary to learn how to wake up after waking up from bed gradually - without sudden movements. The fact is that when you change the position of the body - with low blood pressure - your head may become dizzy, headache or an attack of nausea may occur even in the absence of pregnancy. This is the so-called orthostatic hypotensive asthenia, associated with partial failure of the cerebral blood supply. To minimize the possibility of the appearance of unpleasant sensations, one can not jump out of bed, but should stay for several minutes in a horizontal position, producing slow flexion-extensor movements of the limbs. Then you need to sit down and do a couple of simple exercises, for example, lifting both hands upwards to stretch, straining your back muscles. Then move the arms bent at the elbows by the head and perform smooth turns of the girdle and torso in both directions. And in conclusion, lifting the straight legs above the floor, with the rotational movements of the foot, help yourself finally "disperse the stagnant blood." After this, you can post.
By the way, especially on the couch do not lie down - all pregnant women are more useful to walk outdoors: at least 3-4 hours a day, and in the warm season and longer. Proper nutrition (at least 5 times a day, but in small portions) is also a pledge of well-being. Be sure to have breakfast! In the menu of pregnant women should be lean meat, low-fat sea fish, dairy products, cereals, as well as more fresh vegetables, fruits and greens.
But the products that contribute to reducing blood pressure, should be consumed less. They include: olive oil, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, herring), legumes, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, red bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, avocado, melon, celery, spinach, parsley, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, honey and walnuts.
It is extremely important to use a sufficient amount of liquid (ordinary water, green tea, compote from dried fruits, wild rose hips), which is also important for everyone who has low blood pressure.
A pregnant woman needs to sleep for at least 8 hours, and under reduced pressure - another hour and a half to rest during the day. Very useful regular exercises special gymnastics and swimming pool.
What to do with low blood pressure and dizziness?
If the attacks of dizziness occur in the morning, then carefully re-read the above rules of the morning rise - they relate to all the hypotension without exception.
On the question of what to do with low upper pressure or - in a slightly different formulation - what to do with low systolic pressure? - Also there is an answer.
No matter how banal it may sound, life is a movement. And the normal daily load on the muscles - whether it's charging, walking (on foot to work and back) or walking in your spare time - contribute to improving the blood supply to the brain.
Do not forget about the water. And in terms of drinking, and in terms of water procedures (non-hot shower, cold dousing, swimming).
Those with pathologically lowered blood pressure, doctors recommend twice a year (especially in early spring and late autumn) 30-40 days to take vitamins C, E and B vitamins.
Most experts recognize that doing with low pressure and dizziness self-massage is a very effective and affordable method to combat this pathology. For example, massage by the Japanese shiatsu method - that is, pressing the pads of the fingers on certain points of the body. There are three points on the back of the head: the first one is two fingers below the crown, and the second and third are on the same line with the first point, 2 cm apart. Nameless, middle and index fingers are set to these points and begin to gently push on them and release (1-1.5 minutes). On the turn - points in the region of the occipital mounds. Then we pass to the point located on the back surface of the neck - at the base of the cranial vault. It also needs to be gently pressed for about a minute.
We descend below - to the point between the scapula and the spine, which should be massaged within two minutes. The next point is located under the lower jaw - where her bone rises up to the ear. Finally, we put the index finger over the upper lip - right under the nasal septum - and pressing and massaging movements activate this reflex point. Now we pass to the hands. First, you need to massage the points located in the center of the palms (both hands), then the dots on the inside of the forearm (it is located four fingers apart from the wrist joint).
And finally, you need to massage the nail phalanxes of all the fingers of both hands, each by 5 times, starting with the left thumb of the left hand, the He-gu points (in the middle of the skin fold between the thumb and forefinger) and ending with the thumb of the right hand.
What to do with low pressure and weakness?
Most of the medical recommendations on what to do with low blood pressure and weakness are reduced to the advice to adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle, to observe the regime of work and rest and to take adaptogens - tonic agents of plant origin. In their list are tinctures and liquid extracts of Eleutherococcus, ginseng, magnolia vinegar, or levisee.
Eleutherococcus extract is taken orally 20-30 drops three times a day (30-40 minutes before meals, but not in the evening or before bedtime). The course of treatment lasts a month. Dose for children over 12 years - one drop for each year of life. The drug can not be used for violations of cardiac activity, atherosclerosis, increased nervous excitability, as well as children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.
Spirituous tincture of ginseng is taken internally for 15-25 drops - 2-3 times a day (before meals). The duration of the course of therapy is 30-40 days, after 15-20 days after the end of the course, the course can be repeated. During pregnancy, this drug is also not prescribed.
The way of application, dose, indications and contra-indications of tincture of Chinese magnolia vine are similar to ginseng. But drops from levzeya safflower (maral root) not only regulate blood pressure, but also improve blood composition and increase immunity. The drug is recommended to take 20-30 drops 2-3 times during the day (during meals), but in no case later than 3-4 hours before bedtime. Contraindications to the use of this tool are cardiac arrhythmia, acute period of infectious diseases, epilepsy, sleep disturbances, chronic kidney and liver pathologies, as well as children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and lactation period. About Ecdysten tablets based on this plant will be discussed below.
What to do with constant low pressure?
So, what to do with constant low pressure? With a constantly low blood pressure, you must first go to the doctor, as, as you remember, there are a lot of reasons for the low blood pressure.
And from the general recommendations, the following remain unchanged: it is necessary to sleep well, alternate sedentary mental work with physical exertion, eat right, more often go outdoors and take vitamins.
And phytotherapists say that the decoctions of some medicinal plants can help.
For example, this: take in equal parts (4-5 table spoons) of dry leaves of black currant, nettle nettle leaves, plantain leaves, chicory root and crochet root creeping. Two tablespoons of the resulting mixture brew 350-400 ml of boiling water and boil for no more than 2-3 minutes, then cover the dishes and let it brew for 1-1.5 hours. Then decoction and 20-25 minutes before eating, drink half a glass - 3-4 times during the day.
Low-pressure tablets
Tablets from low pressure are almost the only medicamental way to treat the actual arterial hypotension - reducing the tone of blood vessels. Let's start with the already mentioned Ediksten.
The drug Ekdisten (tablets of 5 mg) is prescribed by doctors with increased fatigue, low blood pressure, asthenic syndrome and even to increase male potency. These low-pressure tablets should be taken before meals (1-2 tablets) three times a day - during the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor, the average duration of which does not exceed three weeks. Ecdysten can give side effects in the form of insomnia, and contraindications to its use are epilepsy, excessive nervous excitability, sleep disorders and the presence of seizures.
Neuroprotective drug Heptamyl stimulates the work of the sub-brain area of the brain (hypothalamus), in which the centers of the autonomic nervous system are located. The consequence of this stimulation is a tangible increase in the strength of myocardial contractions and an increase in the release of blood into the vascular bed. Heptamyl in tablets of 0.15 g is given on a tablet three times a day - with low blood pressure, asthenia, and also patients with cardiovascular insufficiency.
Low-pressure tablets Midodrin (Gutron) are intended for the treatment of neurogenic and orthostatic hypotension, accompanied by dizziness, headache, nausea and fainting. Due to the effect on the alpha-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system, this agent raises blood pressure. Dosage with prolonged therapy is half a tablet twice a day (before eating, squeezed large amounts of liquid). Patients with such diseases as nephritis, hyperthyroidism, prostatic hyperplasia, arteriosclerosis and glaucoma, this drug is contraindicated. Does not apply Midodrin and during pregnancy. The most likely side effects of the drug are headache, skin itching and "crawling craw", increased sweating, chills, bradycardia, also dry mouth, heartburn and nausea.
What to do with low pressure? Obviously, follow the recommendations of your doctor. This is especially true of pregnant women and those who have lower blood pressure is one of the symptoms of the underlying disease. Although everyone who goes through life together with their "eternal companion" with arterial hypertension, one should consult a doctor and use good advice from knowledgeable specialists.