If you have naturally low blood pressure, it does not usually need treating.
But if your low blood pressure is causing symptoms, your GP will try to find the underlying cause to determine what treatment is necessary.
Medication
If your GP suspects your medication is causing low blood pressure, they may change it or alter your dose. This includes medication to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), and Parkinson’s disease.
Your blood pressure should be monitored while you're taking medication and changes noted. Tell your GP if you are experiencing side effects from taking medication.
Underlying illnesses or conditions
If your GP suspects your low blood pressure is being caused by a health condition, you may be referred to hospital for further tests and treatment.
Fluids and salt
Dehydration can cause low blood pressure. This can be easily treated by increasing your fluid and salt intake. Ensuring you drink enough fluid will help by increasing the volume of your blood. Having more blood in your arteries will also increase your blood pressure.
People who have high blood pressure are usually advised to restrict their salt intake. If you have low blood pressure, you may be advised to include more salt in your diet. Your GP will be able to advise how much additional salt you need and whether you can add salt to your usual food or if you need to take salt tablets.
General advice
The advice outlined below will help to limit your symptoms of hypotension, particularly postural or orthostatic hypotension (where blood pressure falls after a sudden movement).
- Stand up gradually: particularly first thing in the morning. It may also be useful to try other physical movements first to increase your heart rate and the flow of blood around your body. For example, stretching in bed before you get up or crossing and uncrossing your legs if you are seated and about to stand.
- Wear support stockings: sometimes called compression stockings, these are tight-fitting elastic socks or tights. They provide extra pressure to feet, legs, and abdomen, which will help stimulate circulation and increase blood pressure.
- Raise the head of your bed or use extra pillows under your head: this will increase the flow of blood in your body and will also make it easier when you need to get up.
- Avoid caffeine at night, and limit your alcohol intake: this will help you to avoid becoming dehydrated, which can also cause low blood pressure.
- Eat small, frequent meals rather than large ones: this will help to prevent postprandial hypotension (low blood pressure after eating). Lying down after eating or sitting still for a while may also help.
Very few people are prescribed medication for low blood pressure. The symptoms of hypotension can be usually be treated by making these changes to your lifestyle and, in particular, by increasing your fluid and salt intake.
If medication is necessary, it will usually be medicines to expand the volume of your blood or to constrict (narrow) your arteries. By increasing your blood, or decreasing your arteries, your blood pressure will increase because there will be more blood flowing through a smaller space.
