There are many factors and lifestyle events that can cause your blood pressure to increase. Exercising, while healthy for your heart, can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. Stress can be a cause of sudden high blood pressure as well. But what about necessary lifestyle factors, such as eating? Does blood pressure rise after eating? For some people, it does.
Generally speaking, when you eat, your blood pressure goes down temporarily. This is because the body sends blood to the gastrointestinal system to help you break down your food, and the rest of your body experiences a drop in blood pressure. Increases in blood pressure are less common, but they can still happen. If you suspect your blood pressure’s increasing after eating, here’s what you need to know.
The physiology of eating: how the body responds
When you eat, your body must send extra blood to the digestive organs to help with breaking down the food and using its nutrients. When this happens, the blood vessels away from the digestive system narrow. This process also triggers an increased heart rate after eating. All of this happens so that the body maintains sufficient blood flow to the brain and extremities, even though more blood is going toward the digestive system.
These physiological processes cause a slight dip in blood pressure that’s rarely a cause for concern. Sometimes, the blood vessels and heart don’t respond the way they should to these natural changes, causing a more severe decrease in blood pressure accompanied by symptoms, such as dizziness and lightheadedness. This is a condition known as postprandial hypotension. Having high blood pressure after eating is less common, but it can happen.
How do you recognize high blood pressure after eating?
Having high blood pressure after eating is a condition known as postprandial hypertension. This rare occurrence is hard to spot because high blood pressure doesn’t cause many symptoms. Most of the time, people only realize they have this issue if they take their blood pressure after eating for another reason.
That said, extremely high blood pressure spikes can cause symptoms, according to the World Health Organization. These may include:
- Severe headaches
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Breathing difficulties
- Changes in vision
- Anxiety
If you have any of these symptoms after eating, talk to your doctor right away. This can indicate a severe increase in blood pressure that needs immediate medical attention.
Factors influencing high blood pressure changes
There are several factors that can influence your blood pressure and cause it to rise. These include:
Cuff size or reading errors
If you're getting an unusually high reading after eating, make sure you're using a blood pressure cuff that's the right size for your arm. If it's too small, you will get an inaccurate reading, and that reading will be high. Similarly, make sure you are reading the blood pressure properly and are sitting still, with your arm gently resting on a table or the arm of the chair.
Food choices
If you eat foods that are high in salt or saturated fat, you’re going to be more likely to notice an increase in blood pressure after eating. The salt and fat content triggers this change. Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is also connected to blood pressure increases.
Stress
Stress can cause increased blood pressure. This isn’t directly connected to eating, but you may notice higher readings if you’re in a period of high stress.
Caffeine
Caffeine intake can cause your blood pressure to increase. If you consume caffeine at your meal, then you’re more likely to notice increases in blood pressure after you finish eating, but the beverage, not the food, is the trigger.
Alcohol
Very Well Health indicates alcoholic beverages can trigger an increase in blood pressure. This increase in blood pressure is short-lived, but if the spike is high enough or if you already have high blood pressure, it can be dangerous.
Managing post-eating blood pressure: lifestyle strategies
Eating is not usually a cause of sudden high blood pressure spikes, but for some people, it does cause a slight increase. If you’re dealing with blood pressure problems and have found a connection between eating and high levels, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help.
First, know that temporary increases in blood pressure, as long as it’s normally at a healthy level, may not be a cause for concern. Talk to your doctor about your cardiovascular health so you can know whether or not this is an issue.
If your doctor is concerned, take measures to improve your cardiovascular health and lower your cholesterol levels. Increased exercise and water intake are both good strategies to create overall improvements in your heart health.
You can also focus on what you eat if you’re seeing a connection between your blood pressure and your eating schedule. Healthline indicates the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is a good place to start. This diet focuses on foods that are low in salt and saturated fats, including fresh produce, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. It also recommends limiting added sugars. With these changes, you can lower your blood pressure up to 11 mm Hg, which could significantly impact the changes in blood pressure after eating.
Healthy eating also means adding some factors into your diet. For example, potassium and magnesium can help lower blood pressure levels, according to one study. Lean protein and fiber are also beneficial to your cardiovascular health.
Blood pressure increases after you eat are rare, but for some people, they can be normal. However, if you’re already dealing with elevated blood pressure, or if those increases are substantial, you’re going to need to pay attention to them. Being mindful of this type of postprandial blood pressure change, and making lifestyle adjustments when needed, can help you take better control over your health. By prioritizing your health and staying informed about factors that influence it, you can enjoy better wellness in your life.
If you’re looking for help with achieving your health goals, consider Evidation. Our clear guidelines and support have helped many people reach their health goals. Start tracking your health with Evidation today.
