What to do when you have low blood pressure?

The question of what to do with low blood pressure arises only for those who, against the background of abnormally low blood pressure figures, complain of decreased vitality, rapid fatigue, drowsiness, periodic dizziness and increased heart rate, headaches with changes in the weather.

In addition, low blood pressure is a pathology if, in addition to the above symptoms, you are bothered by sleep disturbances and attacks of seemingly causeless irritability and frequent mood swings.

Quite a large number of people with a constant low blood pressure feel absolutely normal, and this means that this decrease is physiological. That is, it is not a disease.

Let's start with the fact that in clinical medicine, low blood pressure is considered to be systolic (upper) pressure below 95-100 mm Hg and diastolic (lower) pressure below 60-65 mm Hg. But the generally accepted blood pressure norm is not a dogma, and every rule has exceptions.

What to do with low blood pressure during pregnancy?

Any deviation from the norm has its reasons. Let's start with the fact that the etiology of a decrease in blood pressure may be hidden in a hereditary predisposition and an asthenic type of constitution; chronic fatigue; a neurotic state associated with stress and depression; iron deficiency anemia or vitamin deficiency. In case of heart failure, certain disorders of the endocrine system (in the presence of diabetes, pancreatitis, etc.), osteochondrosis, gastric ulcer and hormonal imbalance in the body, blood pressure may also "play down".

The latter - a change in the normal level of hormones during pregnancy - is the main reason for the decrease in the tone of blood vessels in women in an "interesting position". Throughout the entire period of bearing a child, the level of blood pressure in pregnant women is constantly monitored. And during pregnancy, it often reveals a change in pressure towards a decrease. What to do with low blood pressure during pregnancy?

First, try to understand the complex "biomechanics" of this special physiological condition. As a rule, a decrease in pressure is expressed in the same weakness, increased drowsiness, tinnitus, shortness of breath and, quite often, in short-term loss of consciousness (fainting). These symptoms appear mainly in the morning. Doctors note that such changes in health during the first months of pregnancy are associated not only with the restructuring of the hormonal system, but also with dehydration of the woman's body due to vomiting, which accompanies toxicosis. Then the question arises of 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.

Doctors know exactly what to do with low blood pressure during pregnancy. It is necessary to learn to get out of bed gradually after waking up - without sudden movements. The fact is that when changing the position of the body - with low blood pressure - you may feel dizzy, have a headache or an attack of nausea, even in the absence of pregnancy. This is the so-called orthostatic hypotensive asthenia associated with partial insufficiency of cerebral blood supply. To minimize the possibility of unpleasant sensations, you should not jump out of bed, but should stay in a horizontal position for a few minutes, making slow flexion-extension movements of the limbs. Then you need to sit down and do a couple of simple exercises, for example, raise both arms up and stretch, straining the back muscles. Then move your arms bent at the elbows behind your head and perform smooth turns of the shoulder girdle and torso in both directions. And finally, raise your straight legs above the floor, with rotational movements of the feet help yourself finally "disperse the stagnant blood." After this you can stand up.

By the way, don't lie on the couch too much - it is useful for all pregnant women to walk more in the fresh air: at least 3-4 hours a day, and longer in the warm season. Proper nutrition (at least 5 times a day, but in small portions) is also a guarantee of good health. Be sure to have breakfast! The menu of pregnant women should include lean meat, low-fat sea fish, dairy products, cereals, as well as more fresh vegetables, fruits and greens.

But you should eat less of the products that help lower blood pressure. Nutritionists 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 drink enough fluids (plain water, green tea, dried fruit compote, rosehip infusion), which is also important for anyone with low blood pressure.

Pregnant women need to sleep at least 8 hours, and if they have low blood pressure, they need to rest for another hour and a half during the day. Regular special gymnastics and swimming are very useful.

What to do with low blood pressure and dizziness?

If dizziness attacks occur in the morning, then carefully reread the above rules for getting up in the morning - they apply to all hypotensive patients without exception.

The question of what to do with low upper pressure or - in a slightly different wording - what to do with low systolic pressure - also has an answer.

As trite as it may sound, life is movement. And normal daily muscle load – be it exercise, regular walking (to and from work) or walks in your free time – helps improve blood supply to the brain.

Don't forget about water. Both in terms of drinking and in terms of water procedures (non-hot showers, cold dousing, swimming).

For those with pathologically low blood pressure, doctors recommend taking vitamins C, E and B vitamins twice a year (especially in early spring and late autumn) for 30-40 days.

Most experts agree that self-massage is a very effective and accessible method of combating this pathology when dealing with low blood pressure and dizziness. For example, massage using the Japanese shiatsu method - that is, pressing with the fingertips on certain points of the body. There are three points on the back of the head: the first is two fingers below the crown, and the second and third are in line with the first point, 2 cm apart. The ring, middle and index fingers are placed on these points and begin to gently press on them and release (1-1.5 minutes). Next in line are the points in the occipital tubercles. Then we move on to the point located on the back of the neck - at the base of the cranial vault. It also needs to be massaged with light pressure for about a minute.

We go down - to the point between the shoulder blade and the spine, which must be massaged for two minutes. The next point is located under the lower jaw - where its bone rises up to the ear. Finally, we place the index finger above the upper lip - right under the nasal septum - and with pressing-massaging movements we activate this reflex point. Now we move on to the hands. First, it is necessary to massage the points located in the center of the palms (both hands), then the points on the inside of the forearm (it is located at a distance of four fingers folded together from the wrist joint).

And finally, you need to massage the nail phalanges of all the fingers of both hands with rubbing movements - each 5 times, starting with the thumb of the left hand, the He-gu point (in the middle of the skin fold between the thumb and index finger) and ending with the thumb of the right hand.

What to do with low blood pressure and weakness?

Most medical recommendations on what to do with low blood pressure and weakness boil down to advising a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a work and rest schedule, and taking adaptogens - herbal tonics. These include tinctures and liquid extracts of eleutherococcus, ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine, or leuzea.

Eleutherococcus extract is taken orally 20-30 drops three times a day (30-40 minutes before meals, but not in the evening or before bed). The course of treatment lasts a month. The dose for children over 12 years old is one drop for each year of life. The drug should not be used in cases of cardiac disorders, atherosclerosis, increased nervous excitability, as well as in children under 12 years old, pregnant and lactating women.

Alcohol tincture of ginseng is taken orally 15-25 drops - 2-3 times a day (before meals). The duration of the course of therapy is 30-40 days, 15-20 days after the end of the course can be repeated. During pregnancy, this medicine is also not prescribed.

The method of application, dosage, indications and contraindications of Chinese magnolia vine tincture are similar to ginseng. But drops of safflower leuzea (maral root) not only regulate blood pressure, but also improve blood composition and increase immunity. The drug is recommended to be taken 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 drug are cardiac arrhythmia, acute period of infectious diseases, epilepsy, sleep disorders, chronic kidney and liver pathologies, as well as children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ecdisten tablets based on this plant will be discussed below.

What to do with constant low blood pressure?

So, what to do with constant low blood pressure? With constant low blood pressure, you need to, first of all, go to the doctor, because, as you remember, there are quite a few reasons for low blood pressure.

And from the general recommendations, the following remain unchanged: you need to get enough sleep, alternate sedentary mental work with physical exercise, eat right, spend more time outdoors and take vitamins.

And herbalists claim that decoctions of certain medicinal plants can help.

For example, this one: take equal parts (4-5 tablespoons each) of dried blackcurrant leaves, stinging nettle leaves, plantain leaves, chicory root and couch grass root. Brew two tablespoons of the resulting mixture with 350-400 ml of boiling water and boil for no more than 2-3 minutes, then cover the container with a lid and let it brew for 1-1.5 hours. Then strain the broth and drink half a glass 20-25 minutes before meals - 3-4 times during the day.

Low Blood Pressure Tablets

Low blood pressure pills are practically the only medicinal method of treating arterial hypotension itself – a decrease in vascular tone. Let's start with the already mentioned Ediksten.

The drug Ekdisten (5 mg tablets) is prescribed by doctors for increased fatigue, low blood pressure, asthenic syndrome and even to increase male potency. These tablets for low blood pressure 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. Ekdisten 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.

The neuroprotective drug Heptamil stimulates the hypothalamus, where the centers of the autonomic nervous system are located. The result of this stimulation is a noticeable increase in the force of myocardial contractions and an increase in the ejection of blood into the vascular bed. Heptamil in tablets of 0.15 g is prescribed one tablet three times a day - for low blood pressure, asthenia, and for patients with cardiovascular insufficiency.

Low blood pressure tablets Midodrine (Gutron) are intended for the treatment of neurogenic and orthostatic hypotension, accompanied by dizziness, headache, nausea and fainting. Due to the effect on alpha-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system, this drug increases blood pressure. The dosage for long-term therapy is half a tablet twice a day (before meals, with plenty of liquid). This drug is contraindicated for patients with diseases such as nephritis, hyperthyroidism, prostatic hyperplasia, arteriosclerosis and glaucoma. Midodrine is also not used during pregnancy. The most likely side effects of the drug include headache, itchy skin and "crawling ants", increased sweating, chills, bradycardia, as well as dry mouth, heartburn and nausea.

What to do with low blood pressure? Obviously, follow the recommendations of your doctor. This is especially true for pregnant women and those for whom low blood pressure is one of the symptoms of the underlying disease. Although everyone who goes through life with their "eternal companion" arterial hypertension should consult a doctor and use good advice from knowledgeable specialists.