In some cases, diet and lifestyle changes are not enough to lower blood pressure. Your loved one may be having a difficult time achieving significant changes in their lifestyle, or their hypertension may be too severe to treat with diet and exercise alone.
Several types of medication are available to treat high blood pressure. By Angelike Gaunt , content strategist Your blood pressure is the barometer of your overall circulatory health. Simple lifestyle changes can help: Exercise. National guidelines recommend adults of all ages engage in at least minutes of moderate physical activity each week. If mobility or health conditions are a problem, older adults should try to be as physically active as possible. Lose weight.
If your loved one is overweight, every 2 pounds lost can help reduce blood pressure by 1 mm Hg. Eat a heart-healthy diet low in salt. However, it can raise blood pressure too much. It can also lead to heart disease. Ask your doctor how much is right for you. Add table salt to whole, unprocessed foods. Avoid refined and processed salty foods. Diabetes and high blood sugar levels may lead to low blood pressure.
Use a home monitor to check your blood sugar levels several times a day. See your doctor to find out the best diet, exercise, and medication plan to help balance blood sugar levels. Thyroid conditions are very common.
This can lead to low blood pressure. A simple blood test can tell your doctor if you have this condition. You may need medication and dietary changes to help boost your thyroid function. Elastic stockings or socks can help prevent blood from pooling in your legs.
This helps to relieve orthostatic or postural hypotension which is low blood pressure due to standing, laying down, or sitting too much. People who are on bed rest may need compression braces to help pump blood from the legs. Orthostatic hypotension is more common in older adults.
It happens to up to 11 percent of middle-aged people and 30 percent of older adults. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help treat low blood pressure. These drugs help to treat orthostatic hypotension:. These include:. Some serious bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can cause low blood pressure. Your doctor can find out if you have an infection with a blood test. Treatment includes IV antibiotics and antiviral drugs. Low blood pressure may also be a sign of a health issue or emergency condition.
Treatment may be necessary. Diagnosing and treating these conditions can help balance blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend simple tests such as:. Some medications can cause low blood pressure. These include drugs to treat high blood pressure and other conditions, such as:. Drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs while taking medications, or combining certain medications can also lead to low blood pressure. Shock is a life-threating condition.
It can happen in response to a number of emergency conditions. Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower your blood pressure and improve your health. For information on healthy eating for lowering your blood pressure, see:. You may also call to speak to a registered dietitian, Monday to Friday a. If you check your blood pressure, you may wonder when an abnormal reading means you should call your doctor. This information can help you understand what your blood pressure numbers mean and when you need to call for help.
Your blood pressure consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Blood pressure that is too high increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
In general, the lower your blood pressure, the better. It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. Some medicines can cause a spike in blood pressure, including certain asthma medicines and cold remedies. A low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid.
One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, track your blood pressure and medications. If possible during an emergency, having these logs with you can provide valuable information to the medical team providing treatment. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.
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