Tips for coping with low blood pressure?

Hi Kenzie,
That's too bad that you are having a problem with low blood pressure. Every so often my blood pressure will be low. I drink Gatorade and/or water when that happens and sometimes I go for a fast walk. All of that seems to bring my blood pressure back up to normal. You also might look at the side effects of your medications and supplements to see if any of them can cause low blood pressure. You mentioned that you feel weak. You may need more iron in your system. Try eating foods with iron in them such as peanuts or nuts, good quality red meat like steak, spinach, prunes, raisins, beans etc.
Have you mentioned the low blood pressure and feeling weak to your doctor? That would be a good idea to make sure that something else isn't going on.
I wish you the best.
PML

Thank you very much for your advice. Walking certainly does help, and I do when a family member is available to go with me as I sometimes pass out. My doctor is aware of the problem, and I will be seeing her next week for a follow up appointment. I also need a follow up appointment with the cardiologist as I have had two heart attacks resulting in the insertion of two stents. I will also try the Gatorade. I do eat a lot of nuts but no legumes like peanuts and beans as I am allergic to them. I am on a kidney friendly diet, so animal proteins are limited.

Thanks again
Kenzie,

@kenzie
You are entirely welcome! I'll say a prayer for you!
PML

@kenzie In case you haven't been welcomed here on Mayo Clinic Connect, please allow me to do so!

Isn't it interesting that so many people think about high blood pressure, and there are those of us with low pressure. Definitely take someone with you on those walks. Besides good company, they can assist you if need be. Looking into what your medications are doing would probably be a good thing. Perhaps your doctor or pharmacist will advise you to change when certain ones are taken, or the combination of multiples.

A couple of my friends experience low blood pressure from time to time, and they eat a salty snack. Have you tried that? I will be interested to hear what your medical team may say.
Ginger

@gingerw Thank you for your encouragement. I have tried a salty snack but have found a ,half a teaspoon of Bovril in hot water works fast. I feel so awful when my blood pressure drops to +/- 90/59 that I feel desperate and resort to the Bovril. A few times I have passed out and only came to about two hours later. My doctor and cardiologist don't have any answers. Perhaps my pharmacist can have a closer look at my medication. I will be seeing my doctor next week.

It is peculiar that a discussion about low blood pressure would turn up in the CKD group since we are usually more concerned with high blood pressure. But this reminded me of something. I was experiencing some of the same symptoms described in your posts @kenzie. I mentioned it to my nephrologist who prescribes and monitors my blood pressure medications. He determined that my doses were too high and reduced them. It was during a period of time when I very actively taking care of my elderly parents and in-laws. I had lost a lot of weight (without even trying). I simply had too much meds for my size!

I think my low blood pressure problem has been solved. My blood results showed a high count of white blood cells. My doctor thinks this is the cause of my low bp. I started a course of antibiotics and for two days no low blood pressure. So I'm hoping she is right. I hope your medicines have been corrected and you are now feeling better?