generality
When we talk about how to raise blood pressure we refer to the different methods and treatments that can be put into practice to increase blood pressure when its values ​​are below normal.
Blood pressure is defined as low when, at rest, it falls below 90/60 mmHg. More properly defined as hypotension, low blood pressure can be a great discomfort for patients who suffer from it due to the symptoms it induces.
Depending on the severity of the disorder and the cause that triggered it, the remedies and treatments undertaken to raise the pressure may be different. In the course of the article, they will be briefly analyzed.
Low pressure
What is low blood pressure?
Before analyzing treatments, remedies and advice on how to raise blood pressure, it may be useful to do a little review of what low blood pressure is, what symptoms it causes and what its causes are.
As mentioned, we speak of low blood pressure when in a state of rest it drops below 90/60 mmHg.
Depending on the low pressure value, it is possible to distinguish different levels of severity:
- In case of low blood pressure lower than 90/60 mmHg but higher than 60/40 mmHg we speak of hypotension of mild degree;
- In the presence of pressure lower than 60/40 mmHg but higher than 50/33 mmHg we speak of hypotension intermediate grade;
- In the case of pressure below 50/33 mmHg, on the other hand, we speak of hypotension severe grade.
Generally speaking, low grade hypotension is asymptomatic and is not clinically significant. Conversely, an intermediate or severe low blood pressure is symptomatic and, generally, it hides pathological causes.
Symptoms Induced by Low Blood Pressure
Symptoms typically caused by the low blood pressure condition include:
- Generalized fatigue;
- Dizziness
- Confusion;
- Blurred vision
- Irritability;
- Increased sweating.
Causes of Low Pressure
The causes of low pressure can be many and the treatments and remedies used to restore normal conditions depend on them. In any case, among the possible triggering causes, we remember:
- Genetic predisposition;
- Physical activity;
- Dehydration;
- Pregnancy status (for more information, read: Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy);
- Taking certain types of drugs (for example, diuretics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, general anesthetics, etc.);
- Causes of a pathological nature (cardiovascular diseases, bleeding, sepsis, anemia, mineral deficiencies, etc.);
- Environmental causes (for example, very hot places can cause a momentary drop in blood pressure).
Raise Low Pressure
How to intervene to raise blood pressure values?
The interventions that can be carried out in order to raise low blood pressure are many. They are closely related to the underlying cause of the blood pressure lowering in question and to the severity of the resulting hypotension.
The type of treatment to be undertaken must be established by the doctor, after having performed acareful visit and after making a correct diagnosis about the causes triggering the disorder. It can be of a pharmacological type, as well as the adoption of a particular diet. Finally, remember that to raise the pressure, it is also possible to resort to some natural remedies, however, even in this case the consultation of the doctor should always be requested.
Pharmacological Treatments
How to Raise Blood Pressure with Pharmacological Treatments
The use of medical and pharmacological treatments to raise blood pressure is mostly indicated when we are faced with hypotension of a pathological nature and / or when it is of an intermediate or severe degree.
Clearly, the use of drugs against low blood pressure can only take place if expressly indicated and prescribed by the doctor. However, to raise the blood pressure, the first choice drugs are the so-called vasopressors.
Vasopressor drugs
I vasopressor drugs they are formulated with active ingredients capable of promoting the increase in blood pressure. These drugs are equipped, in fact, with asympathomimetic action which promotes the increase in blood pressure through theinduction of vasoconstriction arterial and / or venous which can be associated with a positive inotropic effect. Among the active ingredients that fall into this class of drugs, we find:
- L'etilefrina (Effortil®);
- La midodrina (Gutron®);
- La norepinephrine, used parenterally in case of hypotensive emergencies;
- La phenylephrine el 'ephedrine administered parenterally, they are indicated in the treatment of hypotension during spinal, epidural or general anesthesia.
Clearly, in the event that low blood pressure represents the symptom of some underlying pathology, in addition to the aforementioned drugs, it is necessary to institute a suitable therapy aimed at resolving the cause triggering the lowering of pressure.
Nutrition
How to Raise Blood Pressure with the Right Nutrition
A little like what happens with hypertension, even when it comes to low blood pressure, nutrition and the adopted diet can play an important role.
In detail, those with low blood pressure should avoid:
- To consume alcoholic beverages;
- To carry out big meals;
- Le ketogenic diets;
- L'minimally mineralized water and drinks with a diuretic effect (for example, diuretic herbal teas).
Conversely, individuals with hypotension should:
- Prefer hiring alcohol-free drinks, such as mineral water and fruit and vegetable juices, as long as they have no diuretic action;
- Prefer the consumption of frequent meals ma not very abundant;
- Increase the consumption of foods containing iron (eggs, meat, offal, etc.), vitamin C (sweet and sour fruit, peppers, spinach, etc.), Vitamin B12 e folic acid (sweet and sour fruit, legumes, liver, etc.) in order to avoid the risk of a possible anemia.
Natural remedies
How to Raise Blood Pressure with Natural Remedies and Herbal Medicine
The natural remedy par excellence for low blood pressure is undoubtedly represented by the root of licorice. In fact, it is believed that chewing on natural licorice sticks can be a very useful remedy for lowering blood pressure. This effect is attributable to the glycyrrhizin present in the plant which - once metabolized - is able to exert an action similar to that of aldosterone, favoring the increase in blood pressure. In addition to licorice root sticks, it is possible to find food supplements titrated and standardized in glycyrrhizin on the market.
Among the other natural remedies that can be used to raise blood pressure, we remember:
- La caffeine: small doses of caffeine are able to exert a vasoconstrictive action which favors the increase in blood pressure. On the contrary, high doses stimulate diuresis which, in turn, favors the opposite phenomenon, namely the lowering of blood pressure. Caffeine is contained in coffee, tea and guarana.
- Milk thistle: milk thistle contains tyramine, a particular amine able to stimulate the secretion of catecholamines with a consequent increase in blood pressure.
- Ginseng ed eleutherococcus: these are plants with adaptogenic action, this means that they are able to increase the tone and defenses of the organism in a non-specific way. Therefore, these plants do not exert a direct action against low pressure, but they can still provide some degree of support.
How to Raise Blood Pressure with Homeopathy
Homeopathy also offers several possible remedies to counteract low blood pressure. Among these we remember:
- Copper metallicum (copper), Metallic Gold (gold) e Argentum metallicum (silver): the combination of these three remedies of mineral origin represents the homeopathic remedy par excellence against low blood pressure associated with fatigue.
- Ferrum metallicum (iron) and Phosphorus (phosphorus): these are two other remedies of mineral origin used to counteract hypotension associated with fatigue and dizziness. Generally, they are used at the 5CH dilution.
- China officinalis: homeopathic remedy of vegetable origin, also used to counteract the lowering of blood pressure associated with dizziness.
- Veratrum e Camphora: herbal remedies used when hypotension is associated with a weak pulse.
- Acidium hydrocyanicum: homeopathic remedy of mineral origin used in case of lowering of pressure associated with sweating and collapse.
Useful Tips
Non-Pharmacological Remedies and Useful Advice on How to Raise Blood Pressure and Avoid Lowering it
If low blood pressure is mild and asymptomatic and is not caused by any type of pathological condition, trying to lower it may be helpful:
- To wear elastic stockings in order to facilitate the venous return of blood to the heart;
- Maintain a good degree of hydration increasing the water supply; dehydration, in fact, could help lower blood pressure;
- Avoid very hot places;
- Practice one regular physical activity, in this way blood circulation is stimulated, favoring the stabilization of blood pressure values. Clearly, it is necessary to hydrate in the correct way and, if you sweat a lot, integrate using the appropriate hydrosaline supplements.
In any case, despite the aforementioned advice and the possibility of resorting to the use of natural products, before taking any action to raise low blood pressure, it is always good to contact your doctor who will be able to identify exactly the cause of the blood pressure lowering and provide information on the best treatment to follow.
