41 yr old woman.I have been on a low carb diet for 6 months, losing 62 pds, with another 28 pds to go. A couple months ago, I had some chest pains and thought it was my heart. I went to the hospital where they took tests and the diagnosis was low potassium, with a prescription to raise it up. I have been getting very lightheaded and tired lately so I checked my blood pressure. I am usually in the 100-120/60-80 range but yesterday I was 84/46. Anyone else with these symptoms on a low carb diet? I haven't called my doctor yet and would like to raise it naturally.

My present BP situation, described in a thread posted today (VERY low diastolic) came about when I changed my diet to low-carb almost ten years ago. I lost almost 50 lbs. and have kept most of it off. Before that, I never had low diastolic readings.

Alisande

Rapid weight loss can really screw up your body, especially your heart. I think you should talk with your doctor about your diet plan, how long you have been on it, and what it is doing to you.

evek,

try something salty tonight like a can of soup or a bag of potato chips (or BOTH) and see if your BP isn't up some tomorrow.
It sounds like dehydration to me.

Sounds like dehydration to me too. The low carb diet may have tendency if you
don't drink a lot of water as part of it. Another idea: caffeine.

Thanks everyone for your replys. I have tried to drink 1-2 cups of water every hour or two today, and I have a lobster base that I make broth out of that is loaded with salt, that I had with my supper. I usually have alot of water during the day anyway to help with my diet, and I'm a coffee nut, so I usually have 2-4 cups a day, plus a cup of decaf tea in the evening. I will be checking my BP tomorrow, and I'm hoping this has helped. I've fallen down twice today from being dizzy and /or getting up too quickly. Even now, lifting my head to view what I'm writing makes me feel lightheaded. I'll let you know tomorrow what it is.
Eve

Do you have seasonal allergies, or have you had a head cold recently? Being dizzy can result from an inner ear infection.