What is low blood pressure, and what are its different types?
Hypotension refers to blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg. Unlikehigh blood pressure, it is often benign in young, slender individuals (vagal predisposition)—but some forms are pathological and require medical evaluation, particularly in older adults, where it increases the risk of falls and syncope. Supportive supplements are available in the store’s cardiovascular health line.
- Orthostatic hypotension: a drop of ≥ 20 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (or ≥ 10 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure) within 3 minutes of standing up—symptoms (dizziness, blackout, fainting, syncope)—the leading cause of falls in people over 65—significant risk of fractures
- Postprandial hypotension: drop in blood pressure within 30–120 minutes after a meal — splanchnic sequestration of blood to the gastrointestinal tract — common in older adults — should be minimized by eating small meals low in fast-acting carbohydrates
- Chronic constitutional hypotension: vagal predisposition—asymptomatic low blood pressure—often seen in thin women and well-trained athletes—generally benign
- Secondary symptomatic hypotension: heart failure — severe dehydration — hemorrhage — septic shock (septicemia — medical emergency) — adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) — medications (antihypertensives, diuretics, nitrates, tricyclic antidepressants)
Causes, symptoms, and when to seek medical attention?
- Common symptoms: dizziness and a sensation of “lightheadedness” upon waking — blurred vision or a transient “blackout” — unusual fatigue — nausea — compensatory palpitations — in severe cases: syncope (brief loss of consciousness) — chronic asthenia
- Populations at particular risk: older adults (diminished baroreflex, polypharmacy, frequent dehydration) — pregnant women (physiological vasodilation in the 1st and 2nd trimesters) — patients on antihypertensives (possible overdose) — bedridden patients (vascular deconditioning)
- Seek medical attention if: syncope (loss of consciousness) — repeated orthostatic hypotension with falls — symptoms associated with chest pain or tachycardia — blood pressure < 80/50 mmHg — intolerance to prolonged standing
- Medical emergency—call 15: severe hypotension with confusion, grayish complexion, weak and thready pulse, shock (sepsis, internal bleeding, acute heart failure)
How to manage hypotension naturally and which supplements to take?
- Postural measures: stand up slowly in two stages (sit on the edge of the bed for 30 seconds before standing) — contract the calves before standing (venous pump) — raise the head of the bed by 15–20 cm in cases of nocturnal hypotension — avoid prolonged periods of standing still (shift weight from foot to foot)
- Hydration: 1.5 to 2 L of fluids per day—adequate hydration maintains blood volume—particularly important in hot weather and during physical activity
- Salt: Increasing sodium intake (table salt, sodium-containing mineral water) may be indicated for certain types of neurogenic or orthostatic hypotension — only under medical supervision (contraindicated in cases of heart disease or kidney failure)
- Diet: Eat smaller, more frequent meals (4 to 5 times per day) to limit postprandial hypotension — reduce high-glycemic-index carbohydrates at meals — avoid alcohol (which acts as a vasodilator and diuretic)
- Magnesium: Deficiency is frequently associated with fatigue, palpitations, and weakness in people with chronic hypotension—300 to 400 mg/day of bisglycinate
- Vitamin C: supports vascular tone (synthesis of collagen in blood vessel walls)—500 to 1,000 mg/day—see blood pressure management
