6 Tips for not experiencing low blood pressure while fasting

Low blood pressure is one of the most common health problems during fasting. This is because your body is adjusting to a new diet, which only eats at dawn and breaking the fast. As a result, blood pressure drops easily and makes the body feel weak all day long. So, is there a way to deal with low blood pressure during fasting? Check out the full review below.

Guidelines for dealing with low blood pressure while fasting

Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition when a person's blood pressure reaches less than 90/60 mmHg. Normally, blood pressure in healthy people is below 120/80 mmHg.

Complaints that are often experienced by sufferers of low blood pressure during fasting are body weakness, lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting. The reason is, low blood pressure causes blood flow throughout the body to decrease.

The organs in the body, especially the brain, do not get an adequate supply of blood. That is why people with low blood pressure feel weak and dizzy easily.

However, fasting should not be an obstacle for those of you who have low blood pressure. Reporting from the NHS UK, people with low blood pressure can fast as long as their health conditions tend to be stable.

Well, here are tips for dealing with low blood pressure when fasting, including:

1. Check your health before fasting

Towards the month of Ramadan, do it medical check up or medical examinations to monitor your health condition, including low blood pressure problems. Make sure that you are declared safe to fast even if you have low blood pressure.

Consult your doctor if you are taking certain drugs and ask whether these drugs can still be consumed or should be stopped during fasting. The reason is, there are several types of drugs that have side effects of lowering blood pressure.

2. Sahur and iftar on time

During fasting, the body requires sufficient energy for activities throughout the day. Especially for those of you who have low blood pressure, you certainly need extra energy so that your body doesn't get weak quickly. Therefore, try not to delay the time of dawn and breaking the fast.

But remember, don't get crazy eating when breaking your fast. Haitham Ahmed, MD, a cardiologist, tells the Cleveland Clinic that eating too much right after breaking your fast can shock your digestive system.

Instead, start breaking your fast with snacks, such as dates or other dried fruit. After that, then you are allowed to eat the main meal slowly.

3. Pay attention to the food menu at dawn and breaking the fast

Choose foods that contain carbohydrates and whole grains, such as rice, whole wheat bread, cereals, and pasta. The reason is, these foods will be absorbed longer by the digestive system so that it helps increase your blood pressure.

In addition, add nuts to your sahur and iftar menu, such as peas, kidney beans, and green beans. This is because nuts can help raise your blood pressure during fasting, as can vegetables and fruits.

When people with high blood pressure are advised to limit salt intake in food, then you are encouraged to do the opposite. Yes, it is recommended that you add more salt to your diet to normalize blood pressure. If you don't really like salty foods, try using soy sauce in your meals.

4. Drink plenty of water

During fasting, you certainly cannot drink water as freely as you do on normal days. When the water and salt levels in the body decrease, this can lead to decreased blood pressure and dehydration.

To overcome this, make sure you meet the needs of your body fluids at least eight glasses a day. The amount of fluids in the body can help increase the volume of blood in the arteries and prevent low blood pressure during fasting.

5. Keep exercising regularly

Regular exercise is the best way to control low blood pressure. Research shows that physical activity can lower levels of stress hormones in the blood. As a result, blood flow in the body becomes smoother and increases.

You don't need to do strenuous exercise to quickly increase blood pressure. Choose light exercise during fasting with a leisurely walk or jogging in the morning or evening. The most important thing is to try to exercise regularly 3 to 4 times a week for 15-20 minutes so that blood pressure is more stable.

6. Get enough rest

Experts reveal that people with poor sleep patterns tend to have low blood pressure. For example, lack of sleep, nightmare habits, snoring, or frequent waking up at night. Therefore, make sure you have enough rest time to prevent low blood pressure during fasting.

In addition, avoid movements that are sudden in nature, such as standing up too quickly after sitting or waking up. This bad habit will make your blood pressure drop drastically and suddenly. As a result, you immediately feel dizzy and lightheaded, and even fall easily. This type of low blood pressure is known as postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension.