There are several situations that can cause your blood pressure to become too low and for some, this includes eating a big dinner. If your blood pressure drops too low you may experience a variety of symptoms. If you are having difficulties maintaining your blood pressure after eating, talk with your physician who can recommend the best treatment approach.
Blood Pressure
As the heart pumps blood through the body, the blood exerts force against the blood vessel walls. This force can be measured by taking your blood pressure and your blood pressure changes throughout the day in response to your activity level. If pressure goes too high it means your heart may be working harder than it needs to in order to deliver the blood and oxygen your body needs. In general, the lower your pressure the better. Low blood pressure is usually not a cause for concern, unless it causes symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, trouble breathing, nausea, fatigue, changes in vision or others, says the American Heart Association. If you do experience symptoms, see your physician, as there may be an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.
Postprandial Hypotension
There are many causes of low blood pressure. If your blood pressure tends to drop after eating you may have a specific type of low blood pressure, called postprandial hypotension. During digestion, your heart rate increases so that more blood can be sent to the stomach and small intestine. At the same time, blood flow to other areas of the body is reduced. Then after the food is digested, blood flow returns to normal. In some cases, the heart and blood vessels do not respond properly, which can cause your blood pressure to drop, reports the Harvard Medical School. When too much blood goes to the digestive system, you may begin to experience the symptoms of low blood pressure which can include minor dizziness or lightheadedness or you may develop chest pains and faint. In severe cases postprandial hypotension can trigger a stroke.
Causes
In some cases, the cause of postprandial hypotension remains unknown, however it can run in families. It is more common in the elderly and those with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes that has caused damage to the the blood vessels in the brain that supply the structures that control the autonomic nervous system, you are also at a higher risk, notes Merck.
Treatment
If you have a medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes, then it is important to work with your physician to manage the underlying disease. In addition, drinking 12 to 18 oz. of water 15 minutes before eating can help. Drinking before a meal will increase the amount of fluid your heart has to pump which can help to keep your pressure up. Eating six or seven small meals throughout the day instead of less frequent larger meals can also help. Focus on getting plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains that are high in fiber, because fiber takes longer to digest. In contrast, refined grains, sugary foods and low fiber foods are digested very quickly which means more blood needs to get routed to your intestines, much more quickly. Sitting or lying down for 30 to 60 minutes after eating may also help to stop your blood pressure from dropping too low.
