The focus is usually on high blood pressure, which can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

However, some people have the opposite: low blood pressure, known as hypotension, which is not always harmless either.

A doctor should establish whether or not there is an organic cause for low blood pressure, says cardiologist Heribert Brueck.

Low blood pressure can be a symptom of a thyroid gland malfunction or a heart disease, such as a myocardial insufficiency. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a blood pressure of less than 100 over 60 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) is considered low for women, while the equivalent for men would be anything less than 110 over 70 mm Hg.

Globally, hypotension is believed to affect an estimated five per cent of the population.

“Low blood pressure is not a disease in itself,” Brueck stresses.

It is usually a sign of circulatory problems. Affected people only tend to worry about hypotension if they sometimes get dizzy, feel buzzing in their ears or feel unusually cold.

Pharmacist Ursula Sellerberg points out that older people need to take low blood pressure seriously. For example, if they feel dizzy after getting out of bed, they are at risk of fractures or bruises from fainting.

Hypertense patients are often given drugs to bring their blood pressure down, but the reverse is not usually true.

“Almost no medication is prescribed for low blood pressure,” Brueck says.

Instead, many doctors advise their patients to take better care of themselves.

Christian Dannhart, a spokesman for a group that promotes the healthful effects of alternating hot and cold showers, says, “That is often enough to improve circulation and the supply of oxygen.”

Brueck is however cautious of claims that this improves the cardiovascular system, saying “You should seek a doctor’s advice first.”

Alternating hot and cold is not always a good idea, particularly for people who suffer from certain illnesses including vein problems.

Men and women with low blood pressure should eat food with plenty of salt.

“It is also important to have a diet that is rich in minerals and vitamins, that is, with plenty of fruit and vegetables,” Dannhart says..

Drinking at least 2 litres of water per day is also good for blood circulation. Medicinal plants like rosemary often also have a positive effect on hypotension, by stimulating circulation. Further, exercise can help fight low blood pressure.

“One possibility before you get up in the morning is for instance to stimulate circulation by pedalling your legs in the air in bed,” Sellerberg explains.

“Relaxation techniques such as yoga or breathing exercises can stimulate circulation too and thus improve the brain’s oxygen supply,” Dannhart notes.

Sellerberg offers an even easier tip for the elderly. People with low blood pressure should occasionally “lie down flat and raise their legs higher than the body” to make the blood run to the head.

Drinking plenty of water supports spine |elasticity, expert says

DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR

Spinal health and elasticity are impacted by more than just exercise or everyday wear and tear: how much you drink affects the back.

Nutrition also plays a role, according to orthopaedist Reinhard Schneiderhan.

The intervertebral discs, which cushion the spine’s vertebrae and act as a shock absorber, need fluid to stay strong and limber. Even the vertebrae themselves are up to 25-per-cent liquid.

“For a stable, yet elastic spine, it is recommended to drink one and a half to two litres of water per day,” Schneiderhan says.

Two important nutrients for bone health include calcium and phosphorus. Both minerals can be found in milk products, especially in cheeses, or leafy, dark-green vegetables.