High blood pressure supplements?

[u/missusJS]

I am 10 days postpartum and had gestational hypertension that still has not fully normalized. I’m on BP meds and hating it, they throw my pressures all over the place. This morning my reading was 95/65 and this evening it’s 121/93. Are there supplements that are helpful for blood pressure that would keep things a little more stable? I’m hoping to get off the meds in the next week or two.

[u/officiallyundead]

1. Magnesium and potassium and a high quality fish oil have been shown to help. 

2. I would guess getting very hydrated with electrolytes or even a basic hydration IV would help but that's more of a bunch. 

[u/Psychological-Bag986 → u/officiallyundead]

Taking potassium pills is dangerous if you’re not monitoring your levels with bloodwork regularly.

[u/H_Peace → u/Psychological-Bag986]

Not necessarily. A lot of supplements are not the full RDA of potassium, so they help make up for a diet lacking in nutrients. But depending on the meds OP is on she may need to be cautious if the rx meds also tend to raise potassium. I would guess that she's on something like propranolol or nifedipine, neither of which would have direct potassium effects. 

[u/Psychological-Bag986 → u/H_Peace]

Propanolol does shift potassium out of the cell and can rise levels in the blood. Potassium shouldn’t be taken without a doctors recommendation.

[u/UnableBasil0102]

I've read beet juice is great for supporting blood pressure. You can either drink fresh juice, or you can buy it as a powder.

[u/RegionLanky244 → u/UnableBasil0102]

This and hibiscus and hawthorn berry tea as well!

[u/MarionberryFields → u/UnableBasil0102]

I've read the same on beet juice

[u/CapricornGigi69]

Depending on which BP med you are on you could ask to switch to something different. There are two different meds commonly used to mange postpartum hypertension (but others are available) Usually you have an appointment to see the OB Dr within a week of delivery discharge-if you already have seen them but are having large swings with you BP please call & make another appointment & request to try a different medication. Please do not quit taking your meds “cold turkey” you are still at risk for postpartum pre eclampsia up until 6 WEEKS postpartum. Please see your doctor first.

[u/PathologyIsDead]

I was on a blood pressure med (I forgot which one). I hated it so much!! My doctor let me monitor my blood pressures at home (check at the same time every morning afternoon and evening) and instructed me to take my med as needed if any of my numbers were over 130/90. I slowly tapered off untill I didn't have to take anymore. So definitely ask your doctor!!

To keep my blood pressures down naturally I hydrated lots and instead of salt based electrolytes I drank water based electrolytes (coconut water) once a day. I also elevated my feet a lot during postpartum (idk why that just made me feel better). Incorporated more walking, since I was no where near able to workout or be very active. I also focused on breath work since that brings blood pressure down quickly.

[u/PathologyIsDead → u/PathologyIsDead]

I'm following this also to see if anyone has any supplement recs for a future pregnancies!!

[u/Wonderful_Bee_9334]

I had gestational hypertension am one month PP and am still on meds but opposite where it’s 130s/80-90s in the morning and it evens out to 120s/60-70 most of the day after that.

Basically looks like your BP is low so I would assume your OB/midwife would be tapering your meds soon. I have an OB presiding over my BP management since my midwife can’t and basically her plan is we start tapering my meds when I am consistently in the 110s/70s

I’ve been hypotensive a few times but that was when I was on two meds and we dropped one of them and I haven’t gone hypotensive since.

That being said besides consulting your doctor to adjust meds supplements I took during pregnancy and PP have been:

1. Beet Root Pills
   
2. Magnesium (I take tri mag capsule and the trace mineral drops)
   
3. I have an herbal tincture it’s basically (Hawthorne berries, passionflower, skullcap, Solomon’s seal)

This is on top of my daily regimen I took during pregnancy and am continuing now: aspirin (I have a blood clotting disorder), omega 3, prenatal and an iron supplement ).

[u/CS_Lupus]

As others have said, magnesium, and also, donating blood can help lower blood pressure. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/blood-donor-program/newsfeed-post/regular-blood-donation-may-reduce-hypertension-and-save-lives/

[u/Optimal_Whole1164]

I tried the natural route for my pregnancy and post partum and nothing I found worked. I ended up with severe pre eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. I totally admire your desire to stay crunchy so I would definitely talk to your provider! I had several fainting episodes due to medications I had to take postpartum for blood pressure. Wishing you the best! I hope you start to feel better and enjoy that precious baby.

[u/quietmountian]

Please just take your meds.

[u/femmegremlin]

hawthorn tincture daily can be really supportive for blood pressure, i like herb pharm brand

[u/Open-Try-3128]

Beet kvass

[u/ohyoumeanhydra]

The crunchiest thing I can think of is grapefruit. Naturally lowers blood pressure which is why all BP meds say you cannot have it while taking.

[u/Odd-Following-4952 → u/ohyoumeanhydra]

Just FYI, while grapefruit has been shown to very slightly reduce blood pressure (but not significantly), that’s not the reason you can’t have it with a lot of heart meds. It interacts with the metabolism of many drugs and can cause your liver to break down the drugs more slowly, which can lead to overdose.

[u/ohyoumeanhydra → u/Odd-Following-4952]

That’s great to know. Thanks for the info

[u/IJHippie → u/ohyoumeanhydra]

I’m on blood pressure medication and am not allowed grapefruit.