Techniques for managing low blood pressure

The cause of your friend's low blood pressure and the possibility of co-existing cardiac conditions would change the advice on what to do.

In my case, I have orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when I change positions, like from sitting to standing. For that, I have to change positions gradually. Some people can't even get out of bed without passing out from it. They have to slowly go from one position to another. First lying on the side, next pushing up with the hands, then sitting on the bed, then dangling the feet off the bed. After about five minutes of dangling, they can slowly stand up.

I also have vasovagal syncope. My blood pressure drops in hot climates or with exercise. For that, I have to avoid all diuretics like caffeine and tea, increase my salt intake, and drinks TONS of water before undertaking a hot or physically exerting task. I have read of an exercise standing about a foot from the wall and leaning back onto the wall to help the circulation in the legs, but everything I read said it hadn't shown significant improvement so I didn't bother with it.

My doctor said that regular exercise is the very best thing I can do, with the caveats that I be well-hydrated before starting, I not change positions suddenly, and I stop to lie down if I feel faint.

Your friend should find out why his blood pressure is low so he can figure out the best ways to treat it. Someone with a risk of heart attack increasing salt would be potentially life-threatening, so I recommend a full work-up before experimenting with anything.

Susie

Thanks, Susie. I'll pass this on to him. Much obliged.