low BP

[MellowYellowcup]

feeling dizzy

Been ignoring low BP but this set of numbers motivated my reaching out for tips.

I see my GP Dr tomorrow

[chartist]

Talk to your doctor about possibly boosting your salt intake to help increase your blood pressure. C/L is noted for worsening orthostatic/postural hypotension(OH) and OH is common in people with PD.

Art

[MellowYellowcup in reply to chartist]

I’m a saltaholic

Consume stacks + excercise

[chartist in reply to MellowYellowcup]

If you don't want to take more salt, talk to your doctor about daily licorice for OH as discussed here in this 2024 study :

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

Here is a relevant study quote :

' We found licorice to be more potent than previously known, with significant increases in BP, after a daily intake of only 100 mg GA. Thus, the safe limit of intake of this substance might need to be reconsidered. '

Licorice has other health benefits, but it is a conversation worth having with your doctor because OH is dangerous for falling and seriously injuring yourself.

Art

[park_bear in reply to chartist]

We really need to know the details of what is going on here before recommending raising blood pressure. OH is frequently accompanied by supine hypertension upon reclining in the evening. Supine hypertension can cause extraordinarily dangerous levels of high blood pressure. We do not want to be casually recommending raising blood pressure to a person with OH.

Actual blood pressure of a person with OH upon reclining in the evening

[MellowYellowcup in reply to park_bear]

PB

Apr 2017 My RCA closed over x 100% . Due to a heavy cardio exercise regime I had successfully activated my hearts Collateral Blood circulating system and lived to fight another day. Since then I have had intermittent AF ( have not had an episode for 12 months I have only had Cardio-version x Once bec the AF had gone on for 3 days. Heart has have no other invasive activity. Blood thinners Rivaroxaban 20mg + Vasocardal CD 180mg + Statin 10mg + Ubiquinol + Zinc + MG + Vit C +

Along came PD diagnosed March 2025 usual Madopar 125

Episodes of HypOtension did occur 4 years ago when I was resting following shoulder surgery, it has recently returned with vengeance and coupled with the standard PD symptoms. My best defense's atm are Increased Salt + H2O (with salt) + Stationary bike + 2kg and 5kg weights + upper body stretching with resistance bands + Hydrotherapy + walking x 4km daily + AM meditation/prayer + 8 hrs sleep + Red Light Therapy

MYello

[park_bear in reply to MellowYellowcup]

Thanks for all that good detail. Correct treatment of low blood pressure depends on the diagnosis. One possible diagnosis is orthostatic hypertension (OH). OH is a loss of blood pressure upon transitioning to the standing position, medically defined as a loss of 20 points in systolic blood pressure upon standing. Is this what is going on or something different?

[MellowYellowcup in reply to park_bear]

Drop of 30 points Definitely OH

SEE MY earlier reply PB

Thanks for your support + insights

[park_bear in reply to MellowYellowcup]

Treating OH

Orthostatic hypotension ("OH") results from impairment of the postural blood pressure regulation system. This can be caused by Parkinson's or by dopamine agonist medications. This system normally automatically adjusts your cardiovascular system to maintain constant blood pressure whether sitting, standing or lying down.

It is important to understand that in addition to the fast acting postural blood pressure regulation system there is also a slow acting blood pressure regulation system. This system will slowly raise your blood pressure during the course of the day when you are up and about, and your average blood pressure is too low. Then when you recline at night it will typically be too high. This system will then slowly reduce your blood pressure, resulting in low blood pressure upon arising.

To work on treating this problem, the first step is to measure your lying down blood pressure upon retiring for the evening. If necessary you can sleep reclining instead of lying flat to reduce blood pressure at your head and reduce risk of stroke. You should avoid taking measures to raise your blood pressure in the evening, especially if your evening supine blood pressure is dangerously high. You should also measure your blood pressure first thing in the morning and confirm it is low. For this measure you want to be sitting up, or standing up if you can do so safely.

To treat OH you want to raise your blood pressure first thing the morning when you are done sleeping. Prepare one liter or one quart of isotonic saline. That consists of 9 grams per liter or 8 grams per quart of water. Drink this first thing in the morning when you are done lying down. Do not drink it in evening or afternoon because it can result in high blood pressure when you retire for the evening. Plain water does not work because the kidneys will excrete it rapidly.

Once this water has been absorbed you can measure your blood pressure again and observe the impact of the treatment. As you get a handle on how your body is responding you can make adjustments as necessary.

[MellowYellowcup in reply to park_bear]

PB on point, as usual ! All this is familiar except it’s the sequence & measures to use these things to get a grip!

Otherwise it’s guesswork

Will start tracking with purpose

[chartist in reply to park_bear]

This is why I mentioned discussing it with their doctor who should be up to date on the whole blood pressure situation.

Art

[JJAJJ]

Preventing and treating orthostatic hypotension: As easy as A, B, C

Sorry i don't know how to attach a link but this document helped me help my husband suffering from OH/SH. x

[MellowYellowcup in reply to JJAJJ]

jj

Can someone assist? surely cut and paste can do it? Alternatively can you type in the exact title? Thanks

[chartist in reply to MellowYellowcup]

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

Art

[JJAJJ]

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

Levodopa is the first line treatment for PD. However in my husband’s situation it significantly reduced his BP so he stopped taking it. Fludrocortison boosted his BP to heart attack level !

We quickly learned to live with it (advice from Drs) such as not getting up from the chair after eating a meal…(small portions the key). Gulping salty water and raising his legs helped to stop BP getting too low. Midodrine helped to sustain BP if we needed to attend an appointment. I read everything, tried everything to prevent him from passing out due to low BP. (I liked the advice on Mayo Clinic website),

[eschneid in reply to JJAJJ]

Ask your neuro or cardiologist about Fludrocortisone. I had terrible orthostatic hypotension and this has really saved a few of us. I've gotten some of those 76/45 readings as well . It does something with the salt in your body. It's a tiny pill which you cut in half and I take .05 mg. I feel strongly this will help if the doctor says ok.

[MellowYellowcup in reply to eschneid]

Hi Esch

Just saw my GP he mentioned that drug + he has reduced Vasocardal to 60mg bd ; sent letter to cardiologist re stopping it! + letter to Neurologist stating Hypotension to be addressed.

Oh yeah he took my BP & it came in 85/45 YES I’m not faking it!

Ciao

[MellowYellowcup in reply to JJAJJ]

Thanks JJ

[eschneid]

Hey Mellow...........

Did not register how complex your cardio situation is with AF and meds. I would have still mentioned the FludroCortisone, but not pushed it as hard. In the mean time, stay hydrated as that affects OH in a positive way. Keep exercising and hang in.

[MellowYellowcup in reply to eschneid]

Met my chemist yesterday He agreed that phasing out BBlocker is worth a try. He also noted he has ppl on both PD drugs + FludroCortisone successfully

[eschneid in reply to MellowYellowcup]

Fingers crossed . The light headed feeling when standing up and walking is so debilitating 💪