What to do When Your BP is Low? Top Home Remedies to Manage Low Blood Pressure and Why You Need to Take Low BP Seriously (2020)

The blood pressure (BP) in the body is a quick determinant of your health condition. High BP or the condition of hypertension strains the heart and damages the arteries and other organs. It is quite common among people of all ages. But did you know that low BP is equally or rather more dangerous than the converse? Blood pressure reading under the range of 90/60 mm Hg is termed as low BP or hypotension. This is an indication that the organs are not getting enough blood. Since the body is deprived of getting enough oxygen, normal bodily functions cannot be carried out well and could result in damage to the brain and heart.

Low BP is not of major concern if you don’t have any symptoms. But, if you continually feel light-headed, dizzy, tired and also face problems like fatigue, nausea, loss of consciousness and blurry vision, then you have to get medical intervention. Once low BP is diagnosed, it is important that you take care in keeping the BP under control. Here are some effective home remedies that can help to treat the problem of low BP:

Excess salt in the diet is indeed a bad thing. But always remember that salt is required in moderate quantities to stabilize the blood pressure. Table salt contains large amounts of sodium that is required to keep the BP in check. The World health Organisation recommends that your daily diet should contain at least 1 tsp added salt, apart from the natural salt that you derive from fruits and vegetables. Also, if you exercise in summers, always make sure to keep lime water with salt within easy reach, as the BP level may tend to plummet downwards.

Yes, you heard that right! Contrary to popular advice that coffee is bad for your health, studies have shown that coffee actually helps people with a low BP problem. Caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea gets your circulation going instantly and elevates the blood pressure for a temporary period. So, in case you experience a sudden drop in the blood pressure level and want to get an instant relief, then quickly reach out for a cup of coffee as this might prove to be helpful in boosting the heart rate. But always remember that this is only a temporary solution.

B12 is an important vitamin that helps the body to produce healthy red cells. Not having enough red cells in the body leads to anaemia and weakness; thereby, leading to low BP and other problems. Vitamin B12 supplements can safely be taken in appropriate doses. Alternatively, you can also choose to include more B12 rich foods in your daily diet. These foods include fish, beef, liver, milk, cheese, yogurt, mushrooms and fruits.

Low blood volume and dehydration are some of the many potential causes of low BP in the body. This can be avoided by drinking plenty of fluids. Make sure that you consume at least 2–3 litres of water in a day to keep the body hydrated. Fruit juices and coconut water also help in providing the necessary electrolytes to maintain adequate level of fluid in the body. Medical experts claim that drinking around 300–500 ml of water, 15 minutes before meals can prevent a steep fall in the blood pressure. So, don’t forget to load up with plenty of fluids especially during summers when there is more risk of dehydration and fatigue.

If you are a person who religiously adheres to meal times and leaves long gaps between meals, then better make changes in your routine. Eating healthy snacks in-between major meals helps to avoid the sudden drop in blood pressure you may experience after a heavy meal. This is a time-tested remedy that has worked well for people with low BP and with diabetes. So, we suggest that you change the routine from 3 heavy meals a day to 5 small ones with short gaps in-between.

A low carb diet is generally helpful in increasing the blood pressure. Carb rich food made from refined flour, white rice and sugar have a tendency to get digested easily. This can lead to low blood pressure. Hence, it is advised to choose a low carb diet. Nonetheless, you may include complex carbs like oatmeal, whole wheat and barley in your daily diet. These foods are rich in fibre and help in regulating the blood pressure in your body.

Ayurveda suggests certain food items to be a good remedy for curing the problem of low BP. These include raisins or “munakka” and almonds. You can either chew on these as snacks in-between meals or consume them as follows – soak the raisins or almonds in water overnight. Have them in the morning on an empty stomach. The soaked water can also be consumed. This remedy works well only when you practice this regularly for a few weeks or months.

Licorice root is known to help in normalising blood pressure that results from low cortisol levels in the body. Tea made from licorice can help in the healthy functioning of adrenaline and heal symptoms of chronic fatigue. Green tea is a rich source of caffeine that helps in inhibiting the hormone that dilates the arteries. As a result, the blood pressure increases.

Low BP can be effectively cured if you are ready to make some changes in your lifestyle. Apart from the remedies mentioned above, we also suggest that you follow the practice of exercising regularly. This promotes blood flow apart from keeping your body active and fresh. However, if you experience sudden dizziness often as a result of low BP, make sure to avoid quick movements while exercising.