Does anyone else regularly get light headed when they stand up?

[ScarlettDarling]

This has always happened to me. I often get light headed on standing up from sitting down. Sometimes I just get a bit fuzzy headed, sometimes I get really light headed and things start to go black, almost like I'm going to faint.

It happens everyday, multiple times a day. Never really thought much of it as I think it's always happened to me. But I was recently talking about it at work and no one else had this more than occasionally. Is it something I should be concerned about? My blood pressure is fine and it's checked regularly when I go for my pill.

Cherries I'd be really surprised if my bp was high. As I said, it's checked regularly and has never been anything other than perfect. As far as I can remember, it's always happened. Certainly since I was a teenager.

It’s sometimes the movement that causes the blood pressure change so as you’re standing your BP sky rockets as makes you pass out. When sitting or standing you might have low bp. Classic sign of blocked arteries (or even a malformation) in the head / neck. You need a proper GP’s advice not guess work. I have low BP and low BP passing out is caused in a different way, usually when standing.

As I said, it's checked regularly and has never been anything other than perfect.

But low blood pressure is "perfect" when you're on the pill. They're only checking your blood pressure isn't high, so normal or low is fine.

My blood pressure is so low that even doctors have a problem finding it, and one even looked at me twice as if he was surprised I was still alive 😂

Yes it sounds like postural hypotension. I’ve alwyas had it, far worse since starting a tricyclic antidepressant. Its worth mentioning to your GP. There are drugs that can help but then may be cautious about prescribing them if you’re on the pill.

Daily lifestyle changes can help. Drinking plenty of fluids - I probably drink 3 litres a day! Take your time standing up, slow is best and then stay still for a good few minutes before you move. But yes talk to your GP.

Orthostatic hypertension
Orthostatic hypotension

Both caused by posture change. Both can be an early symptom of all manners of horrible conditions. See a GP.

It happens so often in our house that we have a song...
If you stand up and everything goes fuzzy/black you have to start singing 'Hello Darkness my Olsd Friend' as your vision clears

Of our family of 6, four of us have low blood pressure and two have diagnosed Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. One of those has POTS and her heart rate goes up into the 200s with it.. (she faints just about everywhere)

The rest of us just get dizzy and recover. It's worth getting checked out but it is quite common I think!

Well cherries Im sincerely hoping it's not an early symptom of one of the many horrible conditions . I definitely will mention it to the gp though.

Stillmedusa I love the fact you have a song dedicated to it!

I literally went to the docs about this yesterday and got a diagnosis of PoTS. Doc took BP while I was sitting, then asked me to stand waited 30 seconds and took BP again. I told Dr I didn't think it'd show anything, I didn't feel lightheaded at at all. BP result-had dropped quite a bit after that 30 second wait. Told Dr I havent ever noticed racing heart alongside these dizzy spells too but still diagnosed it PoTS. I'd definitely go see your doctor op, just get it checked out

QueenHippo What happens now that you have a diagnosis? Can POTS be treated? Does it lead to horrible complications?

My 16yo has just recently started having this, he's come over faint suddenly. Am thinking of taking him to the GP about it...scared now! Had no idea it could be a portent of horrible life-threatening illness and what the hell is POTS?

Op l'm glad you already know about the pregnancy bit. I didn"t want to alarm you by putting in my pregnancy experience but it was hell. I was constantly faint. Doctor said as blood flow goes to baby there is less for me so non stop light headedness.
Green sleeves teen boys who have a sudden growth spurt can experience this as their body is adjusting to the distance from head to feet. So don't panic but do seek doctors advice. I have come across it in a few tall boys in our famiky who suddenly shot up and took time for their blood supply to catch up.

junebirthday I've often jokingly put my dizziness down to being tall! I'm 5'11" and have always said it's because it takes a long time for the blood to get up to my head when I stand up! I'm starting to wonder if I do have low bp though, next time I get it checked and they say it's fine, I'll query it.

Ask them what it is and write it down. I am 5'6 so can't blame height. Have been like this since a child.

I have had this all my life, it's low blood pressure according to my GP and there is absolutely nothing you can do to make it better apart from not getting up too suddenly. My GP is not concerned at all, although it is very annoying and sometimes embarrassing if I'm in a shop and have to hang on to something if I've been crouching down and then stand up!

I've actually passed out on a rollercoaster due to this - not a nice experience. Never again!

Don't worry too much about it, although keep an eye on your children as I seem to have passed this problem on to my DS.

Yes I’ve had this for years, my doctor didn’t care at all. I have borderline high blood pressure

I have low blood pressure. I took ages to diagnose. I'd been to hospital and all with it and was given the all clear. I just happened to have a dizzy spell in the doctor's one day and that's how it was diagnosed. I suggest you get a blood pressure monitor and check it at home a few times a day, record it and then show it to your GP. If it is a blood pressure issue this will find it.

I'm on medication for it as it causes me to faint.

I had this hugely when I was a kid, esp age 7-15 or maybe later. It went away by itself.

I don't get it much nowadays b/c I don't sit still so long.