The heat trap nipples might be the cause of your pressure loss, but would like to mention the hidden dip tube in your tank, the dip tube delivers the cold water to the bottom of your tank, the older style of dip tube normally had an open end with no screen device. Several manufacturers now have dip tubes with a "bullet" shaped end plug that has a slit screen design. These easily clog with debris. I like to discard the tip of the dip tube, clean the tube and reinstall. Replacing the heat trap nipples and tweeking the dip tube will probably correct your problem. That is if there isn't a problem with the valve. Check the valve first.