Question on Sodium and Low Blood Pressure

mermaidrhirhi
mermaidrhirhi Posts: 39 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
so I have very low blood pressure, and all my doctor suggested was increasing my sodium intake, which seems like a terrible idea. I love my salt therefore feel in no way does my diet need more sodium, and it can't be healthy overall??
My goal for sodium in a day is 2500, is there a # I should be increasing it to?

I can't seem to find any good information on LBP (hypotension) on the internet but it really affects me - I get dizzy often and easily, and at times nearly faint! I hate feeling weak.
Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • Blueseraphchaos
    Blueseraphchaos Posts: 843 Member
    You could get a second opinion, or follow the original advice of the doctor and just increase sodium, which might appear to be a bad idea to you but most likely isn't as bad as you think. Also, my husband has a lot of issues, one being low blood pressure, and his cardiologist actually suggested drinking more water.

    I'm not a cardiologist or doctor so i have no idea why that was recommended, lol. He did say also that if there were no troubling symptoms of low blood pressure that it was probably not a big deal (but my husband passes out, so the recommendation of more water and sodium as well).

    Good luck
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    I would ask your doctor for more information or a referral to a specialist.

    I have the same problem. It is genetic in my case, and probably has something to do with my level of fitness and the fact that I don't eat a lot of processed foods, so I don't get all that much salt. My sister was an Olympic-level distance runner when she was young and was constantly fainting at the finish line.

    One trick that I learned from a doctor is this: fill your water bottle 1/3 with ice, 1/3 with water and 1/3 with low-cal Gatorade. I only do this for very intense workouts, but it seems to help keep the shaking/fainty feeling away. Staying well hydrated in general is good too.
  • CanadaEh1
    CanadaEh1 Posts: 31 Member
    edited March 2015
    Ditto what others said about getting more info from your dr and asking for a referral to a specialist. Maybe your sodium level is very low? Are there certain things that seem to trigger the dizziness? For me, getting up too fast or bending over and getting myself upright too fast again can trigger it. I saw a specialist, and I just have to be more cautious with my movements; but again, I was checked out by a specialist. I would suggest you get a referral, so you can get more specific advice. You'll need to know if this is short-term, long term, activity associated, etc. and a specialist would be able to guide you. take care.
  • CanadaEh1
    CanadaEh1 Posts: 31 Member
    Severe hypoglycemia contributed to mine too. The specialist would likely do various tests to rule out other problems. FYI ... I tried to edit the other but it wouldn't work, so I added my extra comment here. Hope you feel better soon.
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