How To Manage Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Wear Compression Socks

One potential way to help treat low blood pressure and its complications is to wear compression socks, which are specialized articles of clothing that gently squeeze the legs. They help compress blood vessels, which allows the blood to travel more reliably through the legs. In addition to being used for low blood pressure, compression socks are often recommended for varicose veins and other circulatory issues in the legs. By compressing the legs, they prevent fluid and blood from accumulating in the feet and calves. This helps eliminate potential pressure and swelling. For individuals who are on their feet all day, compression socks can be very helpful at reducing pain and swelling. This is especially true if they stand behind a counter for a lot of their day without getting to walk around and increase their circulation. Compression socks are available through most local drug stores in the United States. Depending on the patient's underlying condition and insurance plan, they can sometimes be reimbursed for the cost if they get a doctor's note.

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Certain Medications

Several different medications can be used to help manage low blood pressure. They don't necessarily increase blood pressure consistently, so they may not be helpful for individuals whose blood pressure is always low. But for those whose blood pressure drops when they stand up, these medications are essential. If an individual's blood pressure drops more than twenty points upon standing, dizziness and fainting often occur because the brain is suddenly deprived of its oxygen supply. A condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome causes a patient's blood pressure to drop thirty or more points when they stand up. One medication used to treat this is fludrocortisone, which works by boosting the volume of blood in the body so the brain isn't deprived of blood. If individuals have chronic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, doctors will often prescribe midodrine to help raise the patient's blood pressure when they stand. This medication keeps the blood vessels from expanding as much, which increases an individual's overall blood pressure and helps prevent a sharp drop upon standing.

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