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Those who have low blood pressure should eat a normal, healthy and balanced diet, because the increase in the amount of salt consumed does not increase the pressure, however those who have symptoms of low blood pressure such as drowsiness, tiredness or frequent dizziness due to low blood pressure, can to experiment:
- Eat a square of semi-bitter chocolate after lunch, as it has theobromine, which is a substance that improves heart rate and fights low pressure;
- Always have a cracker of water and salt, skimmed milk powder or boiled egg, which can be eaten as a snack, for example;
- Drink green tea, mate tea or black tea throughout the day, because it has theine, a substance that helps to keep the pressure under control;
- Have a glass of orange juice if the pressure suddenly drops.
In addition, it is important to always have breakfast, which should include a natural orange juice and coffee to help increase pressure and improve symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness and, although each person responds differently to these measures, usually improves the feeling of well-being.
What to do to improve the pressure drop
When low blood pressure happens suddenly, on the street or at home, due to a very hot day, for example, the most important thing is to lay the person on their backs, with their legs elevated and, after they get better, offer a little juice of natural orange, soda with caffeine or coffee. However, if the person continues to feel faint, one should avoid giving any type of drink or food, as it causes choking.
Generally, after 5 or 10 minutes the symptoms improve, but it is important to measure the pressure approximately 30 minutes after feeling sick to check that the pressure has increased and is within acceptable values, which should be at least 90 mmHg x 60 mmHg, which although lower than normal, do not cause malaise.
Find out more about what to do when the pressure suddenly drops.
List of foods for low blood pressure
Foods for low blood pressure are mainly foods that contain salt in their composition, such as:
Foods | Amount of salt (sodium) per 100 g |
Salted cod, raw | 22,180 mg |
Cream cracker biscuit | 854 mg |
Corn Cereals | 655 mg |
French bread | 648 mg |
Skimmed milk powder | 432 mg |
Egg | 168 mg |
Yogurt | 52 mg |
Melon | 11 mg |
Raw beet | 10 mg |
The recommended daily dose of salt per day is approximately 1500 mg and this amount is easily ingested through foods that already have salt in their composition, so there is no need to add salt to the food when cooked.
When to go to the doctor
Generally, low blood pressure does not cause any symptoms or health problems and, therefore, no medical treatment is necessary. However, it is advisable to go to the emergency room if the pressure drop is sudden or symptoms such as:
- Fainting that doesn't improve in 5 minutes;
- Presence of severe chest pain;
- Fever above 38 ºC;
- Irregular heartbeat;
- Difficulty breathing.
In these cases, the change in blood pressure may be caused by serious problems such as a heart attack or stroke, for example, and, therefore, it is very important to go quickly to the emergency room or call medical help, calling 192.