Low Blood Pressure While Fasting

fasting
(Jennifer ) #1

Hi All

So I went into my doctor today and the nurse took my blood pressure. My blood pressure has always been low since doing keto in the 107/76 range. Today when she took it it was 97/54. She was surprised and retook it and it was 94/50. I am not feeling sick or tired, in fact, my energy level is up. I mentioned that I have been fasting and she said that it might have made my blood pressure lower, but usually not that low. My doctor said we should keep an eye on it. Has anyone else had this happen?

(*Rusty* Instagram: @Rustyk61) #2

That’s good BP…they’ll the doc to suck an egg!

(Jennifer ) #3

Actually in defense of my doctor he is very supportive of this lifestyle, he was just concerned because it was lower than normal.

(Alec) #4

I’m with rusty that these are good numbers and good biomarkers. But the Dr saying you should keep an eye on it is good advice. Low blood pressure can cause problems, and you don’t really want your numbers to go too much lower.

You can get cheap accurate blood pressure monitors these days so you can track it yourself really easily. Recommended. If your BP goes lower than 90/50, I would recommend a visit to the doc for a discussion. One thing I would recommend: eat more salt. It should bump your BP up a bit.

I used to have high BP: 150/120. I have lost 30kg, and I run. I am now at 100/60 sometimes dipping into the same territory as you. I am 6ft and 85kg, so low blood pressure is interesting… I do sometimes get dizzy when standing up fast, so I need to take a few seconds to let my body get steady.

You have made an interesting observation around this maybe due to the fast. I might try some experiments myself and see if my BP drops during a fast and report back.

(Jennifer ) #5

Thanks. I will try adding more salt. I have been doing keto for over 3 years and have lost 70lbs. I have been at my goal weight for almost 2 years and only recently started fasting.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #6

Yeah, my BP has always been low and it’s been lower since doing Keto. I too just went to the Dr and the nurse took my BP twice because she didn’t believe the first reading. I’m really bad with those # and can’t remember what it was, but she seemed really shocked, though the dr didn’t give it any mention.
Although I was have dizzy spells pretty bad at the time and even told doc so. But again, he didn’t seem to think it was anything to worry about.

(Jennifer ) #7

Well I haven’t had dizzy spells, so it must not be too bad.

(Alec) #8

LeeAnn
The dizzy spells do need to be monitored. It is caused by the sudden drop in BP when you stand up suddenly, and the blood drains from your brain, brain says “oh I think I’ll have a nap right now”, and… zzzzzz…

If you are standing at the time, the biggest risk comes from what you land on! Your brain and body will protect itself internally, but if you hit your head as you fall, that is NOT good.

When I get dizzy, I always lower my head towards my knees, this helps the blood get up into the brain and the feeling goes away.

Just be careful.
Cheers
Alec

(Stacy) #9

Yes, LBP every afternoon I bottom out on keto

(Justin Jordan) #10

I have to really pound salt and electrolytes to stop my blood pressure from getting too low when fasting for more than 36 hours or so.

But my BP runs fairly low (about like the OP) anyway.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #11

I haven’t had any dizzy spells since I got past the 4 week mark. Now it’s jusy the nausea after running.
But both things were helped with salt.

I’m beginning h to view salt as the duct tape of the Keto world. It fixes almost everything.

(Jennifer ) #12

Love it!

(Katarina ) #13

Hi Jennifer, I used to have a normal BP range (120/80) before Keto and since Keto I got around 110/65 but it also dips further when I fast. I have been fasting for 3 days now and my BP reading just now is 98/57. I just up my salt intake and I Keto on as usual. :grinning: