Fasting guide for people with low blood pressure

Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition when the blood pressure is below 90/60 mmHg. At that time, the blood flow is not pumped to the organs of the body optimally, so the organs of the body do not receive the blood supply as needed. Reported on the Cleveland Clinic page, fasting can lower a person's blood pressure. This is certainly good for people with hypertension or high blood pressure. However, what about people who already have low blood pressure? Can someone fast when they have low blood pressure? Check out the following explanation.

The reason for fasting can make blood pressure drop

Any condition that reduces blood volume can affect blood pressure, including dehydration or lack of fluids. Dehydration is one of the causes of low blood pressure that can occur in healthy people and people with low blood pressure.

When fasting, minerals in the body such as sodium and potassium are lost more quickly. This condition is certainly one of the factors causing blood volume to decrease, so that when fasting, people tend to experience low blood pressure.

Based on the results of blood pressure measurements, normal systolic blood pressure (upper blood pressure) ranges from 90-120 mmHg. The normal diastolic blood pressure (lower blood pressure) is 60-80 mmHg. If the blood pressure reading is less than normal, this can be a sign that you have hypotension, including when fasting.

People who experience low blood pressure will usually show signs such as:

• The head is dizzy or the head feels very light.
• Fainting.
• Blurred vision.
• Nausea.
• Fatigue.
• Lack of concentration.

If it gets worse, hypotension can show life-threatening symptoms, such as:

• Confusion.
• Anemia.
• Cold, sweaty, and pale skin.
• Short, rapid breathing.
• Fast pulse.

What if a person with hypotension fasts?

When someone has low blood pressure, it is actually okay to fast. However, the first thing to do is check blood pressure regularly and consult your condition with your doctor. The goal is to ensure that low blood pressure is well controlled during fasting.

Especially if you have a history of severe hypotension. To prevent complications that may arise, you need to get checked before starting fasting.

Reported on the NHS Choice page, someone with low blood pressure may fast. Provided that patients with low blood pressure always ensure that their fluid needs are properly met and consume enough salt when fasting.

The liquid and salt content must be considered at the time of dawn or breaking the fast to prevent fainting and other symptoms in people with low blood pressure.

Guidelines for fasting for people with low blood pressure

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, low blood pressure should not be an obstacle when you want to fast. 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 for fasting when 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

When fasting, the body needs enough energy for activities all 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. The reason is, 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, thus helping to maintain normal 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, salty foods can indeed cause high blood pressure. However, when you have low blood pressure, foods that are rich in salt content are good foods for hypotension 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 normally do. When the water and salt levels in the body decrease, this can lead to decreased blood pressure and dehydration.

To deal with low blood pressure due to dehydration while fasting, make sure you meet your body fluid needs 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.

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