If you sometimes feel dizzy or lightheaded after eating a meal, you could have a common condition called postprandial hypotension, meaning low blood pressure after eating, reports the July issue of the Harvard Heart Letter. Postprandial hypotension announces itself as dizziness and lightheadedness causing some people to fall, others to faint. It can trigger chest pain, disturb vision or cause nausea. In most people, it stems from aging-related changes that interfere with the body’s ability to respond to sudden changes in blood pressure. There is no surefire treatment, but several lifestyle changes can make a difference:
Water before meals. Drink 12 to 18 ounces of water 15 minutes before eating.
Smaller meals. Larger meals are more likely to trigger the response than smaller ones. Try six or seven smaller meals a day.
Fewer rapidly digested carbs. Foods made with refined flour, white rice and potatoes, as well as sugary beverages, pass quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, which contributes to postprandial hypotension. Eat slowly digested whole grains, beans and protein to keep your blood pressure up.
Easy does it. Blood pressure usually hits bottom 30 to 60 minutes after a meal. Sitting or lying down for an hour after eating is another way to cope with postprandial hypotension.
Harvard Heart Letter
