Putting a pinch of salt under your tongue when the person has symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, headache and feeling faint, is not advised because this salt can take more than 4 hours to increase blood pressure a little, having no immediate effect under pressure.
First, salt will retain body fluids and only then will this same salt will increase blood volume by fighting low blood pressure, and the whole process can take up to 2 days to happen.
Although salt intake helps control low blood pressure, it is not necessary for the person with low blood pressure to increase the amount of salt in their meals because the amount of salt that is ingested in Brazil is about 12 grams per day, more than twice as recommended by the World Health Organization, which is only 5 g per day.
What to do in case of low pressure crisis
What is recommended to do when the individual is under low pressure and feels that he will faint, is to lie on the floor leaving the legs higher than the rest of the body. Thus, the blood will flow faster to the heart and brain and the malaise will disappear in moments.
Drinking 1 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice and eating a salty cracker or drinking black coffee or tea is also a good strategy to make the person feel better because caffeine and the stimulus of digestion will increase blood circulation, increasing heart rate and pressure.
Strategies to regulate pressure naturally
Research indicates that even people with low blood pressure may suffer from high blood pressure in the future because they tend to consume more salt and sodium-rich foods in their daily lives. Thus, it is recommended that the person with low blood pressure consume only the 5 grams of salt and sodium indicated by WHO, this means that:
- No need to add salt to the ready-made meals, such as in salads and soups;
- You should not have the salt shaker on the table to avoid overuse of salt;
- Eat regularly, every 3 or 4 hours, avoiding prolonged periods of fasting;
- Although you can cook with salt you should also invest in the herbs to give more flavor to the food. See the best herbs and how to use them to season.
In addition it is also recommended to avoid being in very hot places, and under the direct exposure of the sun on the street, the beach or the pool because this favors dehydration and consequently the pressure drop.