Question by ★☆W.a.b.b.y✿❀: Low blood pressure? 80/50?
I’m 21 years old and I get my blood pressure taken regularly (I see a number of specialists). I’ve always been told it’s a bit low. I faint once every few months, usually when I stand up to quickly, blow my nose or am having a shower. I fainted once after a steroid injection in my ankle.

My rheumatologist took my blood pressure at my last appointment and said “man I wish my blood pressure was that low” (he’s a weird old man). I got my report from the appointment and it said my blood pressure was 80/50. I was lying down at the time and I know it drops even further when I stand up.

I drink plenty of water (at least 4 liters a day). My GP told me to eat more salt, my Mum says that’s not healthy. I exercise 30 minutes (walking) each day. Eat plenty of fruit and veges (I’m gluten free, I have Celiac Disease). My rheumatologist is working towards a diagnosis of Sjogren’s and Lupus/Psoriatic Arthritis.

Is there anything I can do to raise it? Is it a problem? Or at least make me faint and feel dizzy less.

Thanks.
Robert, I drink a lot of water because my mouth is always dry (Sjogren’s). I’m not sure if I’ve had my sodium levels checked, no one has ever mentioned it. I don’t like the taste of those flavoured drinks and they just make me crave more water. My Mum was just trying to be helpful. I do add salt to things I eat like scrambled eggs. I have things like rice crackers that are salty. I only add iodized salt because I have a goiter too (possibly a thyroid problem, but my GP said concentrate on getting the Lupus thing diagnosed, then move on to the next thing… my life is so much fun… (sarcasm!) )

Best answer:

Answer by Mrsfive
Low blood pressure is caused by the same thing that causes high blood pressure with one difference. Both high and low blood pressure are caused by dehydration. In high blood pressure, when the body borrows water from the blood, the arteries constrict and the blood thickens due to less volume. This requires the heart to have to exert more pressure to pump the blood – hence, high blood pressure . In low blood pressure, the body borrows the water the same as in high blood pressure. But the difference is, the arteries don’t constrict. They stay open, which prevents the heart from building enough pressure to maintain a normal blood pressure level. The fix for both is the same – increase your water and salt intake (yes, I said increase your salt intake – contrary to the lies that doctors keep telling people, salt does NOT cause high blood pressure – it regulates the blood pressure).

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Tagged with: 80/50 • Blood • Pressure

Filed under: Psoriatic Arthritis Exercise

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