Foods for Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is not considered as serious as high blood pressure. A normal blood pressure is when the reading for your systolic blood pressure is 120mmHG and your diastolic blood pressure is 80mmHG. The term mmHG stands for millimeters of mercury. Anything below those numbers is considered low. There is no specific blood pressure reading that is considered dangerously low, as it can vary with different individuals.

Symptoms and Contributing Factors

There are specific symptoms to watch for that could indicate very low blood pressure:
dizziness
fainting
blurred vision
nausea
fatigue
excessive thirst
depression

Some contributing factors to low blood pressure:
medications
heart problems
endocrine problems

Salt (sodium) and Blood Pressure

People with high blood pressure are often put on low salt diets to lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too low it makes good sense that adding salt to your diet will help raise your blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic suggests adding natural forms of salt such as soy sauce or dry soups as they have a large amount of sodium. It is best to talk with your health provider before you get ambitious with the salt shaker or other high sodium foods.

Eat Frequently

It is suggested by the Mayo Clinic to eat small meals during the day. Fruits, vegetables and low fat selections of meat and dairy are good choices. It is best to limit your intake of carbs such as potatoes, pasta and bread. The reason for eating small meals is that blood pressure often rises after eating.

Fruit and lLow Blood Pressure

Eating a lot of fruit can help to keep your blood pressure at normal levels. Select fruits that you particularly like, as you are more apt to have them for meals and snacks. You can add some milk, yogurt or ice cream with your fruit, which will be an added benefit to normalizing your blood pressure.

Liquid Intake

The best drink of the day for low blood pressure is water, as it will help keep blood pressure up and prevent dehydration. Dehydration is one of the major causes of low blood pressure. It is best to limit alcohol intake if you are diagnosed with low blood pressure, as this can also be dehydrating. Caffeine will raise your blood pressure, but can cause other medical problems according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic.