Most people spend their lives terrified of the "silent killer"—high blood pressure. They cut out the salt shaker, run until their lungs burn, and obsess over every milligram of sodium on a soup label. But for a specific group of us, the problem is exactly the opposite. You’re standing up from the couch and the room starts spinning. Or maybe you’re hit with a wave of fatigue that feels like your battery just hit 1% for no reason at all. When you ask, how can I make my blood pressure go up, you aren’t looking for a medical crisis; you’re looking to feel human again. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, isn't always a badge of "great cardiovascular health." Sometimes, it’s just a massive drag on your quality of life.
Low blood pressure is technically defined as a reading lower than 90/60 mmHg. However, those numbers are kinda arbitrary if you feel fine. The trouble starts when the pressure is too low to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your brain. That’s when the dizziness, blurred vision, and "brain fog" kick in.
Salt Is Not the Enemy Here
We’ve been conditioned to think salt is the villain in every health story. For people with hypotension, salt is more like a rescue worker. Sodium holds onto water in your bloodstream. More water means more blood volume. More volume means higher pressure. It’s basic physics.
If you're wondering how to safely bump those numbers, start with your seasoning. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association has noted in various clinical contexts that increasing sodium intake can be a primary treatment for symptomatic low blood pressure. You don't need to go crazy on processed junk food, though. Try adding high-quality sea salt to your meals. Or, better yet, look into electrolyte powders that have a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio.
Drinking more water is the second half of this equation. If you eat salt but stay dehydrated, you're just making yourself thirsty without fixing the volume issue. You need the fluid to actually fill the pipes. Most experts suggest aiming for at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day if you're struggling with orthostatic hypotension—that's the fancy name for the dizzy spells you get when you stand up too fast.
💡 You might also like: Como tener sexo anal sin dolor: lo que tu cuerpo necesita para disfrutarlo de verdad
Compression and Physical Knacks
Have you ever seen those tight, knee-high socks that marathon runners or elderly passengers on long flights wear? Those are compression stockings. They aren't just for fashion—or lack thereof. They apply pressure to your lower legs, which helps "push" the blood back up toward your heart and brain instead of letting it pool in your feet.
It sounds simple. It is simple. But it works.
Tensing the Muscles
There are also "physical counter-maneuvers." If you feel a dizzy spell coming on, try crossing your legs while standing and squeezing your thigh muscles. You can also clench your fists or tense your core. These tiny actions mechanically squeeze the veins, forcing blood upward. It’s a quick fix when you’re stuck in a grocery line and feel like you might keel over.
Why Your Meals Might Be Making You Dizzy
Ever feel like you need a three-hour nap after a big pasta dinner? That’s "postprandial hypotension." When you eat a large, carb-heavy meal, your body sends a massive amount of blood to your digestive tract to process all that food. This leaves the rest of your system—including your brain—with a bit of a shortage.
📖 Related: Chandler Dental Excellence Chandler AZ: Why This Office Is Actually Different
Basically, your gut is hogging the resources.
To combat this, stop eating three huge meals a day. Move to five or six smaller snacks. Focus on protein and healthy fats rather than a mountain of white bread or sugar. This keeps your blood flow more "level" throughout the day instead of causing those massive spikes and crashes. Also, maybe skip the glass of wine with lunch. Alcohol is a vasodilator, meaning it widens your blood vessels and drops your pressure even further.
The Role of Caffeine and Herbal Supplements
Coffee is a classic. Caffeine stimulates the cardiovascular system and can provide a temporary lift in blood pressure. However, it’s a double-edged sword. Since caffeine is a diuretic, it can make you pee more, potentially leading to dehydration, which—you guessed it—lowers your blood pressure in the long run. Use it strategically. A cup of coffee in the morning can help you clear the "morning fog" often associated with low readings.
Then there’s licorice root. Not the red candy stuff, but the actual herb Glycyrrhiza glabra. It contains glycyrrhizin, which affects how your kidneys handle salt and water. It’s so effective at raising blood pressure that people with high blood pressure are warned to stay far away from it. If you’re trying to figure out how can I make my blood pressure go up through supplements, licorice tea or tablets might be an option, but you absolutely have to talk to a doctor first because it can mess with your potassium levels.
👉 See also: Can You Take Xanax With Alcohol? Why This Mix Is More Dangerous Than You Think
When Low Pressure Points to Something Else
Sometimes, low blood pressure isn't just "how you are." It can be a symptom of an underlying issue that salt won't fix.
- Vitamin Deficiencies: A lack of B12 or folate can cause anemia. Anemia means you don't have enough red blood cells, which leads to lower pressure.
- Endocrine Issues: Problems with your thyroid or adrenal glands (like Addison's disease) can keep your pressure chronically low.
- Heart Conditions: If your heart isn't beating efficiently, it can't create the pressure needed to move blood.
- Medication Side Effects: Diuretics, antidepressants, and even some Parkinson’s meds can tank your numbers.
If you’re doing all the "right" things—eating salt, wearing socks, drinking water—and you’re still hitting the floor, it’s time for blood work.
Actionable Steps for Daily Life
Getting your blood pressure into a functional range requires a bit of a lifestyle shift. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive.
- The "Slow Rise" Method: Never bolt out of bed. Wake up, sit on the edge of the bed for a full minute, wiggle your toes, and then stand up slowly. This gives your baroreceptors (the sensors in your neck and heart) time to adjust to the change in gravity.
- Salt Your Water: If you find plain water boring or ineffective, add a pinch of Himalayan salt and a squeeze of lemon to your morning bottle.
- Check Your Meds: Take a look at any supplements or prescriptions you’re on. Even "natural" things like garlic or magnesium can lower blood pressure further.
- Elevation: Try sleeping with an extra pillow to slightly elevate your head. This can help prevent the kidneys from producing too much urine overnight, which helps you maintain more fluid volume by morning.
- Monitor Regularly: Buy a home blood pressure cuff. Don't just guess based on how you feel. Track the numbers in a notebook so you can see if your changes are actually making a dent.
Focus on small, consistent adjustments. Raising blood pressure isn't about hitting 140/90; it’s about getting high enough that the world stops tilting every time you tie your shoes.