Could low blood pressure be causing dizziness when you stand up? Absolutely. If springing to your feet causes you to feel light-headed, see black or white spots, or nearly keel over, you may have orthostatic hypotension. Put simply, orthostatic hypotension–orthostatic means “standing upright” and hypotension means “low blood pressure” is the body’s temporary inability to adjust to changes in gravity. Usually when we stand up, our bodies automatically regulate blood flow as needed–by increasing heart rate and constricting blood vessels and veins, which increases blood pressure so blood can make it up into the brain. But when people with orthostatic hypotension stand up too quickly, venous blood pools in the legs rather than returning to the heart, blood pressure falls, and the brain does not get enough oxygen to maintain consciousness. In the US we’re so preoccupied with high blood pressure and its risks (strokes, heart attacks, or heart failure) that we often overlook the dangers of low blood pressure (light-headedness, dizziness, occasional fainting spells). In fact, overzealous use of blood pressure-owering medications is one of the primary causes of orthostatic hypotension. Assuming you’ve ruled out other reasons for your dizziness–low blood sugar, dehydration, anemia, heart problems, medications–you can minimize, if not eliminate, your symptoms by making these simple changes.
.jpg)