Blacking out in exams

OP

Thank you for the replies but generally I do feel calm before I go into an exam which is why it is so annoying. :/

Reply 4

abobop

Hey, I have exactly the same problem and it started during my gcse exams. I have had millions of tests done to rule out other medical conditions and my doctor decided it is just my blood pressure dropping. I'm still learning how to deal with it 3 years on from it starting. I now do all my exams in a small room instead of the huge exam hall and I'm allowed to take a break if I need it. I've also learnt to only eat small amounts of food before my exam at food effects your bp; also no caffeine or refined sugar, they raise your bp then make it drop lots. Temperature of the room can also have a large effect on bp.

Hope you don't suffer too much, you'll find your own ways to cope with it :smile:

Reply 5

OP

Original post by abobop

Hey, I have exactly the same problem and it started during my gcse exams. I have had millions of tests done to rule out other medical conditions and my doctor decided it is just my blood pressure dropping. I'm still learning how to deal with it 3 years on from it starting. I now do all my exams in a small room instead of the huge exam hall and I'm allowed to take a break if I need it. I've also learnt to only eat small amounts of food before my exam at food effects your bp; also no caffeine or refined sugar, they raise your bp then make it drop lots. Temperature of the room can also have a large effect on bp.

Hope you don't suffer too much, you'll find your own ways to cope with it :smile:

Thank you so much. I had no idea about how food and temperature affect your blood pressure. My doctor was so useless - he said it was a good thing!

Reply 6

shonaT

9

Original post by Lunu

Thank you so much. I had no idea about how food and temperature affect your blood pressure. My doctor was so useless - he said it was a good thing!

I was going to ask what you eat before an exam as IME it can help.

Reply 7

OP

Original post by shonaT

I was going to ask what you eat before an exam as IME it can help.

Usually 2 pieces of toast.

Reply 8

abobop

Original post by Lunu

Thank you so much. I had no idea about how food and temperature affect your blood pressure. My doctor was so useless - he said it was a good thing!

No problem, I'm happy to help as I know how horrible it is to go through. Exams are bad enough! Mine was useless to begin with and just kept telling me I was really lucky and that many people would be jealous but then they realised I actually needed help.

Toast is the worst breakfast you can have as it causes ups and downs in bp when what you need is a regular bp :smile:

bananas are the best, I have cereal and then about 45-30 mins before an exam I have a banana to keep my bp up through the exam.

You may also need to increase the amount of salt in your diet. I had my diet analysed and they told me my salt levels were too low and salt helps keep your bp up hence why people with high bp have to reduce salt intake :biggrin:

Reply 9

OP

Original post by abobop

No problem, I'm happy to help as I know how horrible it is to go through. Exams are bad enough! Mine was useless to begin with and just kept telling me I was really lucky and that many people would be jealous but then they realised I actually needed help.

Toast is the worst breakfast you can have as it causes ups and downs in bp when what you need is a regular bp :smile:

bananas are the best, I have cereal and then about 45-30 mins before an exam I have a banana to keep my bp up through the exam.

You may also need to increase the amount of salt in your diet. I had my diet analysed and they told me my salt levels were too low and salt helps keep your bp up hence why people with high bp have to reduce salt intake :biggrin: