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Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy What To Eat

What Diet Helps Control High Blood Pressure

Why is My Blood Pressure So Low During Pregnancy?
  • Eat foods that are lower in fat, salt and calories, such as skim or 1% milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grain rice, and pasta.
  • Use flavorings, spices and herbs to make foods tasty without using salt. The optimal recommendation for salt in your diet is to have less than 1500 milligrams of sodium a day. Don’t forget that most restaurant foods and many processed and frozen foods contain high levels of salt. Use herbs and spices that do not contain salt in recipes to flavor your food do not add salt at the table.
  • Avoid or cut down on butter and margarine, regular salad dressings, fatty meats, whole milk dairy products, fried foods, processed foods or fast foods, and salted snacks.
  • Ask your provider if you should increase potassium in your diet Discuss the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet with your provider. The DASH diet emphasizes adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet while reducing the amount of sodium. Since it is rich in fruits and vegetables, which are naturally lower in sodium than many other foods, the DASH diet makes it easier to eat less salt and sodium.

Questions For Your Doctor

  • Im pregnant and have high blood pressure. How great is my risk of developing gestational hypertension or preeclampsia?
  • Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk?
  • Will medicines help me?
  • How often will I need to see you for appointments?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • Will I need bed rest?
  • Will I need a C-section? Or can I have a vaginal birth?

Natural Remedies To Improve Circulation

Dont let the list of scary words and possibilities prevent you from carrying on about your normal day. Your doctor and nurses will be monitoring your blood pressureamong a myriad of other thingswith each doctors appointment, so dont panic without reason to. Instead, why not enlist a few of these natural remedies to help improve your circulation?

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Low Blood Pressure: What To Eat And What To Avoid

Many people live normally with low blood pressure , but some suffer dizziness, fainting, and even life-threatening effects such as heart attack or stroke. The condition can be characterized by a sudden drop in pressuresometimes triggered by standing up or eating or defined as chronically low blood pressure . There are many causes, including dehydration, injury, pregnancy, medication and disease, among others, and dietary measures that can improve or worsen low blood pressure. Here are a few of the dos and donts.

Is There Anything You Can Do To Deal With Low Blood Pressure When Youre Pregnant

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Although medication is not normally needed when this happens, there are some simple changes you can make that may reduce the likelihood of its happening.

Take it easy. Try to slow down, avoid making sudden movements, and dont stand up too quickly. If you do feel faint or dizzy, lie down on your left side, which may help to increase the blood flow to your heart.

Drink lots of water. As well as preventing dehydration, this increases your blood volume, and thus your blood pressure.

Eat a healthy diet. Your doctor may also recommend that you increase your salt intake, though its important not to overdo this.

References:

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Foods With Sources Of Fatty Acid

  • Mozzarella cheese

You must have one or two portions of these fermented milk products daily.

The key to fighting hypertension during pregnancy is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The high blood pressure pregnancy diet must be low on sodium and fats and low salt intake. A healthy diet that includes whole grains and lots of fruits and vegetables can help solve your dilemma about what to eat to reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy. Steer clear from unhealthy lifestyle choices like alcohol and smoking and always stay active. Now that you know what to eat to reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy, these measures will only help you ensure a safe, healthy and smooth pregnancy.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk Of High Blood Pressure

Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. These include the following:

  • Eat right: A healthy diet is an important step in keeping your blood pressure normal. The DASH diet emphasizes adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet while reducing the amount of sodium. Since it is rich in fruits and vegetables, which are naturally lower in sodium than many other foods, the DASH diet makes it easier to eat less salt and sodium.
  • Keep a healthy weight: Going hand-in-hand with a proper diet is keeping a healthy weight. Since being overweight increases your blood pressure, losing excess weight with diet and exercise will help lower your blood pressure to healthier levels.
  • Cut down on salt: The recommendation for salt in your diet is to have less than 2,400 milligrams of sodium a day . To prevent hypertension, you should keep your salt intake below this level. Don’t forget that most restaurant foods and many processed and frozen foods contain high levels of salt. Use herbs and spices that do not contain salt in recipes to flavor your food do not add salt at the table.
  • Keep active: Even simple physical activities, such as walking, can lower your blood pressure .
  • Drinkalcoholin moderation: Having more than one drink a day and two drinks a day can raise blood pressure.

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Tips On Dealing With Dizziness Due To Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

One of the main symptoms of low blood pressure is dizziness and feeling faint. This can harm you or your babys health, if you faint and fall. These are some ways to manage dizziness caused by low blood pressure in pregnancy.

1. Dont stand for a long period of time. Take short intervals and sit down, especially while doing any housework such as cooking, laundry, or cleaning.

2. Avoid taking very hot baths or showers, as the hot water further dilates blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and making you feel faint.

3. Stay hydrated by regularly sipping on water throughout the day to keep your mind active and fresh.

4. Avoid changing your position too quickly, as you may feel faint. Get down or sit up slowly to give your body some time to adjust to the change in position.

5. Wear loose clothing, which makes you feel more free than constricted. This will help ease any feelings of lightheadedness.

6. Sleep in the left lateral position, as it increases blood circulation to the baby and also prevents Supine Hypotension Syndrome in the mother.

What Causes High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Some women have a higher chance to getting high blood pressure while theyre pregnant. These include women who:

  • Are having their first baby.
  • Have a mom or sister who had high blood pressure while pregnant.
  • Are carrying multiple babies .
  • Are older than 40 years old.
  • Are African American.
  • Were overweight when they became pregnant.
  • Had high blood pressure before they became pregnant.

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What Is Gestational Hypertension

Gestational hypertension occurs when your blood pressure rises in the second half of your pregnancy, or earlier if youre carrying twins. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against artery walls through blood vessels. When this force measures more than 140/90 mm Hg and is first spotted at 20 weeks or later in a pregnancy, doctors consider your blood pressure to be high.

The good news is that, if you develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, it should go back to normal about 6 weeks after you give birth.

How To Prevent Feeling Dizzy After Eating

There is no surefire treatment for postprandial hypotension, but these four lifestyle changes can help you prevent low blood pressure:

  • Water before meals. Drinking 12 to 18 ounces of water 15 minutes before eating can blunt a fall in blood pressure.
  • Smaller meals. Larger meals are more likely to trigger postprandial hypotension than smaller ones. Try switching from three square meals a day to six or seven smaller meals.
  • Fewer rapidly digested carbs. White bread and other foods made with highly refined flour, white rice, potatoes, and sugary beverages pass quickly from the stomach to the small intestine. This rapid transit contributes to postprandial hypotension. Cutting back on these foods in favor of slowly digested whole grains, beans, protein, and healthy oils may keep your blood pressure up after a meal.
  • Easy does it. Blood pressure usually hits bottom 30 to 60 minutes after a meal. Sitting or lying down for an hour or so after eating is another way to cope with postprandial hypotension. If you need to move around, be careful and be alert for signs that your blood pressure is low.
  • Various medications and supplements have been tested against postprandial hypotension. These include caffeine, guar gum , acarbose , midodrine , and others. But none of them has performed well in clinical trials, and side effects of these therapies can sometimes be worse than postprandial hypotension.

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    Can High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Be Prevented Or Avoided

    It cant be prevented. However, you can lower your chances of getting it by making necessary adjustments before getting pregnant. These include getting or maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

    If you have chronic hypertension before you get pregnant, talk with your doctor. He or she will look at how well your hypertension is being managed and let you know if you need to make any changes before getting pregnant.

    The Dl On Diabetes And Hypoglycemia

    Foods To Eat To Prevent Low Blood Pressure

    Having type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes increases your chances of hypoglycemia, compared to someone who is pregnant but not diabetic. This is because your already fluctuating insulin levels have a new factor to deal with: pregnancy hormones.

    Even if you arent taking medication for your diabetes, you may still experience hypoglycemic episodes. For this reason, you should eat a balanced diet and carefully monitor your blood sugar throughout your pregnancy.

    Signs of hypoglycemia during pregnancy are similar to what a non-pregnant person with low blood sugar may experience . Symptoms may include:

    • anxiety
    • sweating
    • tingling around the mouth

    Once your blood sugar rises, these conditions typically disappear. The symptoms of severe hypoglycemia can be even more serious if left untreated. It can cause seizures, convulsions, or even loss of consciousness.

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    Dr Rupali Datta Clinical Dietitian At Fortis

    1. Eat small portions frequently: Sneak healthy snacking sessions in-between the major meals of the day to avoid long gaps. Eating small portions several times of the day helps in preventing the sudden drop in blood pressure that one may experience after meals. So, if you are eating three full meals a day, it would be better to rather have them distributed in to five small meals a day. This one’s a great home remedy for also people who have diabetes.

    Home remedies for low blood pressure: eat small portions frequently

    2. Have adequate salt: Excess salt is bad, but on the other hand it is required by your body in moderate quantities. According to the World Health Organisation, your daily diet must contain at one teaspoon of added salt besides what you derive from natural from fruits and vegetables. In summers or if you exercise daily, keep some lime water with a pinch of salt handy. Salt works like an instant pick-me-up. Make sure you do not have too much salt too that may lead to problems like water retention along with high blood pressure.

    Home remedies for low blood pressure: Excess salt is bad, but it is required by your body in moderate quantitiesHome remedies for low blood pressure: Drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water every dayHome remedies for low blood pressure: Caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee may help boost your blood pressureHome remedies for low blood pressure: Chew five to six tulsi leaves every morning

    Risks Of Low Blood Pressure In Pregnant Women

    While low blood pressure does not pose as much risk as high blood pressure, it still remains a cause for concern during pregnancy. Watch out for the below risks if you have been diagnosed with low blood pressure.

    • Dizziness due to low blood pressure may raise the chances of fainting, falling and hurting yourself and the unborn baby.
    • If there is a drastic fall in blood pressure, it can reduce the oxygen supply to your body, thus, impeding your bodys crucial functions. It could be risky for your baby in case there is less supply of oxygen, causing significant damage to the babys heart and brain.

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    Can Low Blood Pressure Harm Your Baby

    We know a lot less about the effects of low blood pressure on babies than the effects of high pressure. Some research suggests that it may lead to stillbirth and low birth weight, but this correlation is difficult to establish because there are so many other variables and risk factors involved during pregnancy. In the vast majority of cases, low blood pressure at this time is nothing to worry about.

    Foods That Help You Lower Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

    WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE LOW BLOOD PRESSURE DURING PREGNANCY

    Blood pressure spike during pregnancy is pretty normal. There are many foods which can help you combat that. Starting from alfalfa, celery, cucumber and Indian gooseberry to olive oil,parsley, and potato, there are many options you can try in order to reduce your overall blood pressure during pregnancy.

    Higher blood pressure often causes various problems during pregnancy. That is why having rice during pregnancy is good as it lowers the blood pressure. Having plenty of fruits and vegetables is also a good idea as they also have a calming effect on the blood vessels.

    Vegetable juices are also very good in controlling blood pressure. Along with that you also need to potassium and calcium rich foods. Roauwolfia is also very good for you to lower your blood pressure. .

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    Treating Low Blood Pressure

    The main goal in treating low blood pressure during pregnancy is symptom reduction, especially if you are experiencing dizziness and fainting. For the most part, many people can manage symptoms of low blood pressure with lifestyle modifications, such as:

    • Staying hydrated
    • Consuming enough calories to support you and your baby
    • Avoiding standing for long periods of time
    • Moving slowly from a supine or prone position to a standing position

    Blood pressure tends to be lower when a person is at rest and can cause blood to pool in the legs, so it’s important to move positions or get up from a seated or reclining position slowly to avoid the onset of symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting.

    If a patient is on a medication that may cause low blood pressure, we would recommend discontinuing the medication, explains Atlas. Like high blood pressure, treating low blood pressure with medication during pregnancy is only recommended when absolutely necessaryand only with medications known to be safe during pregnancy.

    Reduce Stress Through Meditation And Rest

    Chronic stress can lead to chronic elevations in the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, says Dr. Desai. These hormones constrict the arteries and cause weight gain, which further increases blood pressure.

    He recommends reducing stress by using breathing exercises, practicing meditation, completing physical exercise, practicing yoga, logging quality sleep, taking breaks throughout the day, spending time in nature, listening to music and eating a balanced diet.

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    Low Blood Pressure And Postpartum

    If you have chronic low blood pressure before your pregnancy, you may continue to face this problem after delivery. If you stopped certain medications during your pregnancy, you may be able to resume them postpartum. But talk to your doctor about this first if you plan to breastfeed.

    In some cases, complications of delivery can cause new hypotension after your baby is born.

    Try Controlled Breathing :

    Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

    Deep breathing is a popular relaxation technique that helps lower your stress levels and stabilize your blood pressure.

    Moreover, every time you take in a deep breath, the well-oxygenated blood gets delivered to each and every cell in the body. This in turn provides energy and makes you feel good overall.

    • Lie down comfortably on your back.
    • Place your hands on your chest and below the rib cage.
    • Slowly inhale through your nose so that you feel your stomach move up.
    • Slowly exhale through your mouth by counting to 5, while keeping the abdominal muscles tight.
    • Repeat 10 times and keep your breathing regular and slow.
    • Practice deep breathing for 10 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day, to manage your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.

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    How Do You Know If You Have High Blood Pressure

    Your blood pressure reading is given as two numbers:

  • Systolic blood pressure. This is the upper number in your reading. Its the pressure when you heart contracts . Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats and pumps blood.
  • Diastolic blood pressure. This is the lower number in your reading. Its the pressure when your heart relaxes. Your blood pressure falls because your heart is at rest between beats.
  • Your blood pressure reading fits into one of five categories:

  • Normal. Your blood pressure is less than 120/80.
  • Elevated. This is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120-129 and your diastolic pressure is less than 80.
  • Stage 1 high blood pressure. This is when your systolic pressure is between 130-139 or your diastolic pressure is between 80-89.
  • Stage 2 high blood pressure. This is when your systolic pressure is at least 140 or your diastolic is at least 90.
  • Hypertensive crisis. This is when your systolic pressure is higher than 180 and/or your diastolic pressure is higher than 120. Call your health care provider right away if your blood pressure is this high.
  • At each prenatal care checkup, your provider checks your blood pressure. To do this, she wraps a cuff around your upper arm. She pumps air into the cuff to measure the pressure in your arteries when the heart contracts and then relaxes. If you have a high reading, your provider can recheck it to find out for sure if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can go up or down during the day.

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