[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by kfierle

I have had low blood pressure all my life.

How low is your blood pressure? The lowest I've had (checked in my doctor's office) was 90/50. And I was enjoying a good day. No problems!

Recently it has started causing me some problems. I have the tendency to dehydrate easily and I don't sweat, I overheat. Combine both of those with my low blood pressure and my blood pressure tends to drop suddenly when I get up and move quickly.

I would just drink more water and eat smaller meals. I wouldn't worry about the salt too much. I use very little salt because I don't see it as a solution to low blood pressure. And I don't see low blood pressure as a problem unless it makes me dizzy. If I feel dizzyness coming on I just drink more water.

Getting up: In the morning, before getting up out of bed, for example, sit on the edge of the bed for a few seconds. Then get up slowly. Your blood pressure will rise gradually if you just give it a chance.

I have been working with my doctor to try to increase my blood pressure through lifestyle and diet changes, not drugs. He said jokingly that I need a salt lick in my kitchen. Yes, I need to increase my salt intake, but that is a challenge for me. When growing up, my mother could not use any salt, pepper, or spices when cooking because one of my older sisters had a kidney problem. My parents would salt and pepper their food when on their plates. I am so used to eating food with no salt that adding it to my diet is a bit difficult. If I use any canned items, I am used to the no salt added or low sodium options. Salt appears to be an acquired taste and I have having trouble acquiring a taste for it! My doctor told me to try Gatorade, but I would rather drink out of a mud puddle. I tried forcing some down, but it ended coming back up!

I wouldn't worry about the salt too much. Did you get a blood test? Was it normal? Mine was normal and I hardly consume any salt.

I currently exercise about 2 hours a day to increase my pressure. I am open to new ideas and ways to increase my blood pressure. Two weeks ago my pressure was up slightly.

Overexercising could be lowering your blood pressure. Your blood pressure will go up while you are exercising, but sometime later it may go lower than usual. I learned this by accident. I noticed that the day after I got a lot of exercise my blood pressure would go lower than usual. After all, exercise is what they recommend for people with high blood pressure. Try exercising for just one hour per day.