How to Increase Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, doesn't get as much publicity as high blood pressure (hypertension). As a result, many people with hypotension don't know how to increase their blood pressure to a healthy level.

Like hypertension, low blood pressure can be dangerous. You not only feel tired all the time, but you can be subject to dizziness and fainting spells. This happens because blood is not flowing through your circulatory system efficiently. Your brain, your heart, your lungs and all your organs are not getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. 

Normal blood pressure range is 90/60 mm Hg to 130/80 mm HG. You are considered to have low blood pressure if either your systolic or diastolic numbers drop below normal. For instance, if you have a 120 systolic reading - which is good - you would have low blood pressure if your diastolic number drops below 60.

To increase blood pressure, it helps to understand why it happens. There are a number of possible causes.

Dehydration Most people know what this is: you don't have sufficient fluids in your body. Even a slight case of dehydration can trigger symptoms of low blood pressure. You body can be drained of fluids if you overuse diuretics, or if you exercise too long and too hard. Symptoms of dehydration also include fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

To increase low blood pressure from dehydration, you need fluids and electrolytes.

Bradycardia This is a medical term for a low heart rate. Low blood pressure can also be caused by other heart trouble like valve problems, heart attack and heart failure.

When you have these problems, you'll need to work with your doctor on a treatment program. Dealing with heart issues is an ongoing process, and improvement, obviously, doesn't happen overnight.

Certain medications As mentioned above, taking too many diuretics (commonly called "water pills") can lead to low blood pressure. So can alpha blockers (often used for hypertension and prostate problems) and beta blockers (often used to treat hypertension, migraines, and glaucoma). Other medications that have been connected to low blood pressure include drugs for Parkinson's disease, certain types of antidepressants, and certain medications that are used to treat erectile dysfunction.

If you are taking any of the medications above, talk to your doctor. You may be able to adjust dosages. He or she may also be able to suggest alternatives.

Endocrine issues Thyroid problems can contribute to low blood pressure. Both hyperthyroidism (high thyroid or overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (low thyroid or underactive thyroid) can be factors, along with Addison's disease, hypoglycemia and sometimes diabetes.

This is another case where you'll work with your doctor on an overall program to bring low blood pressure back to normal.

Lack of nutrients If you're not getting enough vitamin B-12 and folate, you may begin to suffer from anemia. This can bring your blood pressure down too.

In some cases, you may not be getting enough salt. No doubt you've heard that salt raises blood pressure - and it does. But you also need a minimum amount, and if you're not getting it, hypotension could result.

There are a number of other temporary causes of low blood pressure: being pregnant is one. Blood pressure generally returns to normal after delivery.

Other temporary conditions include a severe infection (known as septicemia) and anaphylaxis, which is a life threatening allergic reaction (something you might get from an insect bite).

Septicemia and anaphylaxis are medical emergencies. The medical team attending to the patient will try to increase blood pressure as part of treatment.

Other treatment options to raise blood pressure

There are some medications that help bring low blood pressure up to normal. One is fludrocortisone, which boosts your blood volume, Another is midodrine, which restricts the ability of your blood vessels to expand.

Doctors also recommend wearing compression stockings. These help increase low blood pressure by reducing the pooling of blood in your legs.

Related articles: see low blood pressure causes for more specific details on types of medications that are likely to cause low blood pressure. Also see orthostatic hypertension.