Does Eating a Big Dinner Lower Blood Pressure?
In some people, a large meal causes dizziness and potential falls due to a drop in blood pressure. According to the pharmaceutical manufacturer, Merck, this condition, called postprandial hypotension, affects an estimated one-third of older individuals and some other vulnerable populations. The complications of postprandial hypotension can be serious, but it can be controlled with lifestyle modifications and medical intervention.
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Features
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When you eat a large meal, the body diverts blood to the small intestine to help with digestion. In most people, this change in blood flow leads to an increase in the heart rate and a constriction of blood vessels, so the blood pressure remains controlled. In some people, constriction of the blood vessels fails to happen and the heart rate does not increase--leading to a drop in blood pressure. Symptoms of this postprandial hypotension usually occur within two hours of a meal and include sleepiness, dizziness, chest pain, nausea, headache and, in more serious cases, fainting. Occurrences of postprandial hypotension are most common around breakfast. The symptoms of postprandial hypotension vary day-to-day and tend to be more marked after a meal high in carbohydrates.
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Vulnerable Populations
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Elderly individuals suffering from high blood pressure or nervous system disorders (i.e., Parkinson's disease) are most likely to experience postprandial hypotension. Diabetics and people under dialysis treatment also have trouble with this condition.
Effects
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Postprandial hypotension causes fainting in some people. The resulting falls can lead to hip fractures, increased frailty and other injuries. If a person suffers from postprandial hypotension, she might become adverse to eating and then suffer from malnutrition. Stroke and heart attacks also have occurred as a result of postprandial hypotension.
Diagnosis
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A doctor diagnoses postprandial hypotension by taking your blood pressure before and after a meal. In elderly populations, doctors usually monitor the blood pressure of all those who have a serious fall within two hours after a meal.
Treatment
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Avoid taking your high blood pressure medication before meals if you suffer from postprandial hypotension. Eating several small, low carbohydrate meals throughout the day also helps minimize symptoms. For some, walking after eating can help, but many times as soon as the walking stops--the blood pressure drops. Some doctors recommend lying down after meals. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can help, but those with serious attacks might need to be treated with injections of the drug octreotide. An editorial in the Journal of Georontology in 2001 suggested that limiting glucose intake as a possible treatment for postprandial hypotension. Alcohol may exacerbate symptoms, so avoiding it is advised. Caffeine intake helps alleviate the severity of postprandial hypotension symptoms, as it assists the body in constricting blood vessels.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jose Oquendo
