If you are experiencing a certain amount of dizziness, a light-headed feeling, or that sensation of extreme tiredness after eating, it could be a case of postprandial hypotension.
Many of us are aware of postprandial blood sugar,r but what is postprandial hypotension? Though a very common symptom, especially among the elderly, it is often ignored and is attributed to general weakness or low blood sugar in the case of diabetics.
What Is Postprandial Hypotension?
Postprandial, in layman's terms, means after a meal, whereas hypotension stands for low blood pressure. Blood pressure is defined as the force of blood flow against the walls of arteries when the heart beats and supplies blood to the rest of the body. A drop in systolic blood pressure of up to 20mmHg within 2 hours after consuming a meal is defined as postprandial hypotension.
Normally, blood pressure keeps changing, depending on what you are doing at a given point in time. It may go temporarily higher during workouts and intense physical activity, but it lowers during sleep, also known as the resting phase. While high blood pressure can cause various cardiovascular health issues, low blood pressure too is equally dangerous and may lead to serious health complications, including fainting, loss of consciousness,s and could be fatal.
Also Read: Hypertension: Follow DASH Diet To Control High BP- Infographic
How Common Is Postprandial Hypotension?
It may sound surprising, but postprandial hypotension is a very common condition often found in the elderly aged 60 and above. If you have a parent or an elderly person at home constantly complaining about severe tiredness or dizziness within 1 or 2 hours after consuming a meal, it’s time to record their blood pressure regularly for at least 3 days before seeing a doctor.
If the readings are around 100/60 or even 90/60 for at least 3 consecutive days, especially after eating, seek medical intervention.
What Causes Postprandial Hypotension?
It is not completely clear or understood what causes a drop in blood pressure, but the most possible explanation is related to the process of digestion.
Digestion is one of the main bodily functions, and the digestive system works in tandem with the central nervous and circulatory systems to get the job done. While digesting a meal, extra blood flow is required by the stomach and small intestine, and to balance this, the heart beats harder and faster,r constricting blood vessels in the legs and other parts of the body. This causes a sudden drop in blood pressure everywhere except in the digestive system, leading to sudden dizziness, tiredness, and, in severe cases, nausea and chest pain.
The symptoms are quite noticeable while standing and can cause syncope or fainting. Older people are at risk of fall-related injuries and fractures caused by this sudden drop in blood pressure.
Also Read: Hypotension: 5 Best Home Remedies To Maintain Blood Pressure
Who Is At The Risk of Postprandial Hypotension?
Sudden drop in blood pressure after eating is commonly found in the elderly. According to statistics, at least 1 in 3 elderly people suffer from postprandial hypotension.
Though it is commonly noticed in the elderly, patients suffering from other forms of orthostatic hypotension or certain health conditions that disrupt the autonomic nervous system, like uncontrolled diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, are also at high risk of postprandial hypotension.
Consumption of a diet rich in carbohydrates is also another prime reason behind this health condition, as body chemicals, insulin,n that are released into the bloodstream as a reaction to the high-carb diet, excessively dilate the blood vessels in the stomach, leading to this complication.
How Is Postprandial Hypotension Treated?
There is no specific treatment plan to cure low blood pressure after eating, but it can be managed effectively by making certain lifestyle changes.
- Eating small, frequent meals requires a smaller amount of blood pooling in the stomach, without denying blood flow for general circulation across the body. Make it a habit to eat more meals in small quantities.
- Do not eat a high-carb diet, as it tends to make the symptoms worse. Doctors believe that intestines have to work more to digest carb-loaded food and would require extra blood flow, causing low blood pressure in other areas of the body.
- Make sure to lie down for at least one or two hours after eating the meal, for digestion to complete and the blood pressure to settle down.
- Drinking water at least 15 minutes before the meal aids in reducing the symptoms.
- Walking between meals improves vascular health and prevents a quick drop in blood pressure.
What Are The Other Factors That Can Drop Blood Pressure?
A rapid drop in blood pressure can be dangerous, and it needs immediate medical attention. If you think that your hypotension is not related to eating, check for the following underlying reasons:
- Heart valve disease
- Severe dehydration
- Thyroid gland dysfunction
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency
If you find the above symptoms relevant to your condition, talk to your doctor for a complete diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Postprandial Hypotension Go Away?
Postprandial hypotension may improve with lifestyle changes and treatment of underlying causes. In some people, it can be a long-term condition requiring ongoing management.
Why Do I Feel Like My Blood Pressure Is Low After Eating?
After eating, more blood flows to the digestive system, which can sometimes cause blood pressure to drop. This may lead to dizziness, weakness, light-headedness, or fainting, particularly in older adults.
How Do They Test For Postprandial Hypotension?
A healthcare professional may measure your blood pressure before a meal and at regular intervals for up to two hours after eating. A significant drop in blood pressure after a meal may indicate postprandial hypotension.
What Foods Should I Avoid With Postprandial Hypotension?
Large meals, particularly those high in refined carbohydrates, may worsen blood pressure drops in some people. Smaller, balanced meals and limiting alcohol may help, but dietary changes should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Hypotension?
Recovery time depends on the cause and severity of hypotension. A temporary drop may improve within minutes to hours, while hypotension caused by an underlying condition may require longer-term treatment.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9964048/
https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(14)00073-5/fulltext
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261561414002374
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ggi.70456?utm_source
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2989753/
https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(14)00546-5/fulltext
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7825766/
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