Stories
Dizzy When Standing? It's Not Always Low Blood Pressure, Say Doctors
- •Dizziness upon standing, while often linked to temporary low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), can stem from various other medical conditions, according to Dr. Preema Khan.
- •Dehydration is a frequent but overlooked cause, reducing blood volume and increasing dizziness, often accompanied by thirst, dry mouth, and fatigue.
- •Other potential causes include anaemia (low haemoglobin), low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), and cardiac issues like heart rhythm disorders or valve problems.
- •Inner ear conditions such as positional vertigo, or neurological issues like cerebrovascular events, can also manifest as dizziness.
- •Seek immediate medical attention if dizziness is accompanied by fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, irregular heartbeat, sudden severe headache, or neurological symptoms like difficulty speaking or vision changes.
Key Questions Answered
Orthostatic hypotension happens when gravity pulls blood toward the legs upon standing, and the body fails to quickly adjust heart rate and blood vessel tone to maintain proper blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness, blurred vision, weakness, or a near-fainting sensation.
Dizziness can stem from dehydration, anaemia and nutritional deficiencies with low haemoglobin, hypoglycaemia in diabetes patients, inner ear issues like positional vertigo, heart rhythm disorders, or neurological conditions.
Immediate medical care is needed if dizziness is accompanied by fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, irregular heartbeat, sudden severe headache, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, one-sided weakness or numbness, confusion, or loss of balance.
