Read on to learn more about how blood pressure fluctuations can lead to dizziness and when to see a healthcare provider.
What Is Dizziness?
Dizziness is a term used to describe the feeling of light-headedness or faintness. It can be caused by many different conditions, including:
Vertigo, or problems with the inner ear Low blood pressure (hypotension) Anemia Pregnancy Stroke Medication side effects
Is Dizziness a Sign of High Blood Pressure?
Dizziness is not a direct sign of high blood pressure, but it is actually a common symptom of low blood pressure. Dizziness can also happen as a side effect of blood pressure–lowering medication or from certain complications of high blood pressure, like stroke and heart attack.
High blood pressure is common, affecting nearly 1 in 2 Americans. Uncontrolled hypertension is a serious and important risk factor of stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. For this reason, it’s important to pay attention to your blood pressure and ensure it’s in a good range.
High blood pressure is commonly labeled the “silent killer” since it usually does not cause any symptoms. Severely high blood pressure can cause headaches and nosebleeds, but more often, hypertension doesn’t cause any symptoms at all.
Even though dizziness is not a direct symptom of high blood pressure, people with high blood pressure can experience dizziness from the following related causes:
Medication side effects Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when standing after being seated or lying down) Serious complications of high blood pressure, including stroke, heart attack, and arrhythmias
Medication Side Effects
Blood pressure medications, also known as antihypertensive medications, lower blood pressure. There are many different classes of antihypertensive medications, but dizziness is a potential side effect of all of them.
For example, diuretics (or water pills) like chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) are a class of medication commonly used to treat blood pressure. These medications work by increasing sodium and water excretion from the kidneys. Dehydration and dizziness are possible side effects.
Orthostatic Hypotension
Some people with high blood pressure experience wide fluctuations in their blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension is low blood pressure and dizziness upon standing. It commonly occurs as a complication of blood pressure treatment in older adults and in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment and Management of Dizziness
Treating dizziness depends upon the underlying cause.
Stroke: Strokes can be caused by bleeding in the brain or a blocked blood vessel from cholesterol plaque buildup or blood clot. The result is brain tissue starved of blood and oxygen. Depending on where in the brain the stroke occurs, dizziness may be a symptom. Heart attack: A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is compromised. Heart attacks may cause dizziness through a drop in blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythm. Arrhythmias: When blood pressure is high, the heart must work harder to pump blood and, over time, the heart muscle thickens and changes in response to pressure. These changes can increase the risk of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, which commonly causes dizziness, as well as shortness of breath, fatigue, and exercise intolerance.
When dizziness is due to side effects of blood pressure medication, changing medications or the dose or timing of medication may be necessary. For example, your medication dose may be reduced or you may be asked to take blood pressure medication at a different time of day, such as at night instead of in the morning. Any medication side effects and changes should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
When dizziness is a symptom of complications of high blood pressure, like stroke or heart attack, emergency treatment is needed.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
Dizziness is an unpleasant symptom that can have many potential causes, so it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider to understand what’s causing it. Pay attention to the timing of dizziness and anything that worsens your symptoms, and make sure to bring this information to your healthcare provider.
As always, if you have any symptoms that indicate a heart attack or stroke, such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body, or sudden difficulty speaking or walking, get immediate medical attention.
Summary
Dizziness has many possible causes. High blood pressure doesn’t directly cause dizziness, but people with high blood pressure may experience dizziness as a side effect of medication designed to lower blood pressure or from complications of high blood pressure. Pay attention to any additional symptoms, and be sure to seek medical attention for any signs of stroke or heart attack.
A Word From Verywell
Dizziness as a side effect of blood pressure medication can be a nuisance and can increase the risk of falls. If you notice dizziness that occurs shortly after taking your medication, after starting a new medication, or changing doses, talk to your healthcare provider. While it can be frustrating, it often takes experimenting with different strategies to manage dizziness from hypertension treatment.
