While many individuals watch what they eat to lower the risk of high blood pressure, or hypertension, having low blood pressure, or hypotension, also requires dietary changes. Hypotension requires treatment when it causes symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, fainting spells, blurred vision, confusion or weakness. In addition, hypotension may affect the amount of blood and oxygen being delivered to the brain, heart and kidneys. If it occurs on a long-term basis, the organs can become temporarily or permanently damaged. Hypotension has many causes, including serious underlying conditions, so before making any changes to your diet, consult a medical professional.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can contribute to low blood pressure because it reduces the amount of fluid that is being pumped through the body. This means it's important to drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day. In addition, a physician may recommend consuming sports drinks that contain nutrients such as sodium and potassium, states the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Once you feel thirsty, dehydration has started to set in, so it is best to drink throughout the day. Since alcohol consumption can also dehydrate the body, you should limit alcohol or avoid it altogether.
Add Salt to Foods
Salt causes the body to retain fluid, which can help increase blood pressure in those with hypotension. It's best to eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains while finding ways to add salt into the diet. The Mayo Clinic website recommends adding a tablespoon of natural soy sauce to meals to boost the sodium content by 1,200 mg. You can also add dry soup mixes, which tend to be high in sodium, to soups, stews and other foods. A physician or registered dietitian can recommend a daily intake level for salt based on your health.
Eat Smaller Meals
Eat small, frequent meals, and focus on healthy carbohydrates. After you eat a large meal, blood goes to the intestines to help digestion. This can cause a drop in blood pressure, so it is best to eat smaller, more frequent meals. In addition, certain types of carbs, such as potatoes, white rice, pasta and bread, are digested quickly and should be eaten in moderation. Instead, eat fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products, which take longer to digest and will not tax the body.
Reduce Fat Intake
The first step in treating hypotension is to identify the underlying cause. According to Merck, in some cases it can be a warning sign of heart failure. If heart failure is causing your hypotension, your diet needs to be low in salt, fat and cholesterol. In these cases, it may be necessary to take medications to help raise blood volume and blood pressure.
