First-aid for low blood pressure | TheHealthSite.com (2024)

First-aid for low blood pressure | TheHealthSite.com (1)

What should you do when you or someone else experiences hypotension? Dr Akshay Challani shares tips.

Read this in HINDI, Marathi

Hypotension or low blood pressure is not as common as hypertension, but is no less a severe health complication. A drop in your blood pressure is unusually characterised by dizziness, fatigue, nausea or difficulty in breathing. Most people are clueless about what to do when your blood pressure dips. Our expert Dr Akshay Challani, Critical Care Specialist and Physician, Akshjyot Clinic, Navi Mumbai, explains the first aid in case of hypotension.

Lie down: The moment you experience the giddiness, dizziness, black out or any other symptom of low blood pressure, lie down on a flat surface. Close your eyes for a few minutes or until you feel your pressure normalise. Also, read about feel light headed or dizzy right after eating? It could be a health concern!

Have ORS: Oral rehydration salts or ORS not only rehydrates the body but also supplies salt and other electrolytes, which helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance. Prepare a sachet of ORS as explained on its pack and drink. However, if you suffer from diabetes, avoid taking ORS as it contains sugar.

Drink water: If you don t have ORS available, you can drink plain water as well. You can even add a pinch of salt and sugar to the water. Sodium in the salt improves your blood pressure while sugar helps in restoring the glucose level (if caused due to low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia). Also, read about treatment of hypotension (low BP).

Lick salt: Yes, a common practice that most people follow is to lick salt or eat salty food to improve the body's salt content, which stabilises your blood pressure. You can even drink a glass of salt water (add 1/4th teaspoon of salt in a glass of water) to restore your blood pressure. But ensure not to eat or drink excess salt as it might lead to high blood pressure.

Once you feel your blood pressure has normalised, consult your doctor immediately to diagnose the exact cause. Most people tend to ignore this and only consult a doctor when their blood pressure is really low. You should screen your blood pressure regularly, as in some cases people might not show symptoms even when their pressure falls below 110/60 mm Hg. Always visit your doctor and never self-medicate. Here are 9 must-have foods for people with hypotension or low blood pressure.

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First-aid for low blood pressure | TheHealthSite.com? ›

Drink water: If you don t have ORS available, you can drink plain water as well. You can even add a pinch of salt and sugar to the water. Sodium in the salt improves your blood pressure while sugar helps in restoring the glucose level (if caused due to low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia).

What is the immediate first aid for low blood pressure? ›

Otherwise, treatment depends on the cause of your low blood pressure and your symptoms. When you have symptoms from low blood pressure, sit or lie down right away. Then raise your feet above heart level. Severe hypotension caused by shock is a medical emergency.

What is the first treatment for low blood pressure? ›

Drink more water. Fluids increase blood volume and help prevent dehydration, both of which are important in treating hypotension.

How can I quickly bring my blood pressure up? ›

What to try when you need to raise your blood pressure fast
  1. Get low and go slow. ...
  2. Hydrate. ...
  3. Counterpressure. ...
  4. Change into compression garments. ...
  5. Drink some coffee. ...
  6. Chill out. ...
  7. Reduce your stress. ...
  8. When is low blood pressure an emergency?
Apr 3, 2024

What should we eat when BP is low? ›

Drinking lots of water. Foods high in vitamin B12 such as eggs, meat, milk products, fortified breakfast cereals, and some nutritional yeast products. Foods high in folate such as dark leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, and grains. Salty foods.

How do you fix low blood pressure ASAP? ›

Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms. Lifestyle changes, such as drinking plenty of fluids, wearing compression stockings, and eating more salt, may help raise blood pressure.

How do you treat low blood pressure in 3 minutes? ›

If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit down or lie down for a few minutes. Or you can sit down and put your head between your knees. This will help your blood pressure go back to normal and help your symptoms go away.

What foods raise your blood pressure quickly? ›

Salty foods can increase blood pressure. Try eating canned soup, smoked fish, cottage cheese, pickled items, and olives.

What do hospitals give to raise blood pressure? ›

Dopamine and Epinephrine (Adrenalin) are both vasopressors AND inotropes. Two other drugs that may be used when we want the patient to receive an inotrope are dobutamine and milrinone. Dobutamine and milrinone are different than the first group of drugs because they are actually inotropes AND vasodilators.

When should you go to the ER for low blood pressure? ›

Extremely low blood pressure is an emergency when accompanied by other symptoms such as weak and rapid pulse, rapid/shallow breathing, cold and sweaty skin, and bluish skin tone. High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when the force of blood pumping through the arteries is consistently too high.

What is the best drink for low blood pressure? ›

Drink Plenty of Fluids

When you're dehydrated, your blood volume is reduced, which causes your blood pressure to decrease. Most doctors recommend drinking at least two liters (roughly eight glasses) of water every day. Your water intake should be higher in hot weather or while exercising.

Does banana help with low BP? ›

The Bottom Line. Bananas are a nutritious and tasty option for helping lower blood pressure. Loaded with essential nutrients like potassium, fiber and vitamin C, bananas offer several benefits for cardiovascular health. Their potassium content counterbalances sodium intake, promoting blood vessel relaxation.

What is considered a dangerously low blood pressure? ›

What is hypotension? Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure (lower than 90/60 mm Hg). If your blood pressure gets too low, it can cause dizziness, fainting or death. Low blood pressure is not a condition that is usually treated except if it occurs in the elderly or occurs suddenly.

How do you bring up very low blood pressure? ›

Here's What To Eat To Help Raise Low Blood Pressure:
  1. Drink Plenty of Fluids. When you're dehydrated, your blood volume is reduced, which causes your blood pressure to decrease. ...
  2. Eat Salty Foods. ...
  3. Drink Caffeine. ...
  4. Boost Your B12 Intake. ...
  5. Fill Up On Folate. ...
  6. Cut Back On Carbs. ...
  7. Reduce Meal Size. ...
  8. Easy On The Alcohol.

What foods raise blood pressure immediately? ›

Salty foods can increase blood pressure. Try eating canned soup, smoked fish, cottage cheese, pickled items, and olives. Caffeine. Coffee and caffeinated tea may temporarily spike blood pressure by stimulating the cardiovascular system and boosting your heart rate.

What is the 60 second trick to lower blood pressure? ›

A 60-second trick to lower blood pressure immediately is to take a deep breath and try to relax. Stress and anxiety can raise your blood pressure, so taking a moment to calm down can help lower it. Learn breath exercises that slow your heart rate and promote relaxation. Drink some water.

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