Any tips on raising blood pressure?

clcwinegeart
clcwinegeart Posts: 4 Member
edited November 18 in Food and Nutrition
Hello :) I need tips to help raise my blood pressure. I'm 5'6" and weigh 146lb. I have a lot of health issues but the one that has been kicking my butt lately is tachycardia (heart condition that causes the heart to beat over 100bpm at rest). After many tests and doctors visits the cause is currently unknown so the problem can't be treated. My heart doctor believes it is just genetic. I now have to take a beta blocker daily to lower my heart rate so I won't go into cardiac arrest. My problem is I've always had low blood pressure and taking the beta blocker makes it even lower. (I'll include a picture at the end)

I'm having trouble just getting it close to 100 over 60. Are there any ways to raise it in a healthy way? I doctor told me to eat more salt and drink more water. He also said I need to drink a Gatorade everyday but I'm not sure how much extra salt I actually need. On days my blood pressure is low I'm really cold (even in summer) and I feel really weak. Any tips you have are appreciated. Thank you.

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Listen to your doctor. Salt everything.
  • jessicagreen1828
    jessicagreen1828 Posts: 133 Member
    Increase water intake
  • Gurliacci
    Gurliacci Posts: 10 Member
    Maybe ask your doctor about pedialyte? I would also ask your doctor to clarify how much salt you should add to your diet. More water should also help! Hope you feel better soon, feeling cold and weak does not sound fun xx
  • clcwinegeart
    clcwinegeart Posts: 4 Member
    smoothswimgirl wrote: »
    Increase water intake

    Yeah I have a problem with this because I often forget, especially if I don't feel well. I was thinking of setting a reminder on my phone for every few hours.
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    I drink about 64oz of water a day and consume about 3x the daily recommended sodium (under Dr's orders) for my low BP. I salt everything. Which works out well since I have a major salt tooth.
  • Gurliacci
    Gurliacci Posts: 10 Member
    clcwinegeart wrote: »
    smoothswimgirl wrote: »
    Increase water intake

    Yeah I have a problem with this because I often forget, especially if I don't feel well. I was thinking of setting a reminder on my phone for every few hours.

    Or you could get one of those apps that help you drink more water and make it interesting like "plant nanny."

    Some people find having a gallon of water with them helps. Or a water bottle with DIY notches written on it saying different times, and you have to drink to that line at that time of the day. 4aykhpduz68c.jpg
  • gottagetitoff11
    gottagetitoff11 Posts: 122 Member
    smoothswimgirl wrote: »
    Increase water intake

    Are you saying more water will raise ones blood pressure. Thanks
  • jessicagreen1828
    jessicagreen1828 Posts: 133 Member
    The idea is that increasing fluids will increase blood volume and create more pressure inside the circulatory system. Obviously healthy kidneys will remove excess water, but if dehydration is a contributing factor, this should help. I'm not a dr... this is just a suggestion, of course. I also have fairly low BP from time to time.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    Your doctor's advice sounds pretty standard. I'd ask him for a number or range to hit for liquids and sodium too.
  • yoherbs421
    yoherbs421 Posts: 160 Member
    Well if the Drs. haven't figured out what it is yea more sodium and water seems like the obvious remedy. Another thing it could be is a drop in blood albumin. Albumin helps with keeping blood pressure stable if I'm not mistaken. Albumin is produced in the liver I believe. Might be worth investigating.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Gatorade yes for the electrolytes. A friend out rubber bands on her water bottle to keep track how much she was drinking.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    yoherbs421 wrote: »
    Well if the Drs. haven't figured out what it is yea more sodium and water seems like the obvious remedy. Another thing it could be is a drop in blood albumin. Albumin helps with keeping blood pressure stable if I'm not mistaken. Albumin is produced in the liver I believe. Might be worth investigating.

    She knows what's causing the low blood pressure, the medicine to slow down the high heart rate, which is what the doctors think is just genetic.
  • clcwinegeart
    clcwinegeart Posts: 4 Member
    Thank you for all the replies everyone. They have been really helpful. It's nice to know others are going through the same.
    yoherbs421 wrote: »
    Well if the Drs. haven't figured out what it is yea more sodium and water seems like the obvious remedy. Another thing it could be is a drop in blood albumin. Albumin helps with keeping blood pressure stable if I'm not mistaken. Albumin is produced in the liver I believe. Might be worth investigating.

    They thought it was my thyroid at first but after 5 or 6 blood tests from different doctors that was ruled out. Since the beta blockers are keeping my heart rate low my doctor doesn't seem worried about doing more tests.
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    My BP runs low as well, so I've talked to my cardiologist about this.
    * Actually track your sodium intake and increase it until your BP is consistently in a good range.
    * Hydrate well but don't overdo it. In my case, my cardiologist actually told me "Don't drink so much water" b/c too much can basically flush out that extra sodium. I'm thirsty all the time though and naturally drink plenty of water. Balance is good here. :)
    * Coffee/caffeine can help raise it as well. I've had a couple times at drs' offices when a nurse actually brought me a cup of coffee to raise mine. (Score! ;) )
  • clcwinegeart
    clcwinegeart Posts: 4 Member
    macchiatto wrote: »
    My BP runs low as well, so I've talked to my cardiologist about this.
    * Actually track your sodium intake and increase it until your BP is consistently in a good range.
    * Hydrate well but don't overdo it. In my case, my cardiologist actually told me "Don't drink so much water" b/c too much can basically flush out that extra sodium. I'm thirsty all the time though and naturally drink plenty of water. Balance is good here. :)
    * Coffee/caffeine can help raise it as well. I've had a couple times at drs' offices when a nurse actually brought me a cup of coffee to raise mine. (Score! ;) )


    I can't have caffeine :'( Also no medicines with stimulants. So no DayQuil, coffee, tea, chocolate, and most soda. One of my emergency room visits last year was because I took a mucinex. It was pretty scary because every time my heart rate would increase it felt like my chest was locking up and I couldn't breathe. It's okay though, I know what I can't have now.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Gurliacci wrote: »
    Maybe ask your doctor about pedialyte? I would also ask your doctor to clarify how much salt you should add to your diet. More water should also help! Hope you feel better soon, feeling cold and weak does not sound fun xx

    This!! ^

    If you are given an instruction from your doctor that you don't fully understand, ASK THE DOCTOR for further details.
  • Jay2Zee
    Jay2Zee Posts: 87 Member
    Get married
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