When Should I See My Doctor
You should seek medical attention if you feel dizzy and also have:
- pain, pressure, heaviness or tightness in the chest, shoulders, neck, arms, jaw, or back
- nausea, cold sweat, shortness of breath
- numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg
- trouble talking, understanding or swallowing
- vision changes in one or both eyes
- confusion or becoming unconscious
See your GP if you have an unexplained fall, or you are worried by your dizziness, or if your dizziness is sudden, severe, or prolonged or keeps happening.
Family History Of Hypertension
While exercising and healthy eating go a long way towards lowering your blood pressure, there are some risk factors that you may not be able to change.
Genetics is a major contributing factor when it comes to your hearts health, and blood pressure can be hereditary. If you are aware of your immediate family being hypertensive or having had a heart attack before the age of 45 , you should make it a priority to visit a doctor.
Understanding family history is important to recognize the cause of high blood pressure, further evaluating whether it is genetic, poor eating habits or lack of exercise repeating itself across generations is also essential.
Even if you have a family history of high blood pressure, it doesnt mean that you cant take actions to avoid another heart episode in the family. Recognizing high blood pressure is challenging, but with regular blood pressure readings, you can easily track it.
Causes Of Orthostatic Hypotension
- Fever
- Some medications, such as some diuretics or antihypertensive medications
- Dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhoea or both, as in gastroenteritis
- Certain conditions, such as anaemia, diabetes, varicose veins or adrenal insufficiency
- Nervous system disease, such as Parkinsons disease or neuropathy
- Heart problems, including irregular heart beat , congestive heart failure, aortic stenosis or heart attack
- Spinal cord conditions such as syringomyelia
- Shy Drager syndrome, a degenerative disorder of the brain and spinal cord that affects functioning of the autonomic nervous system
- Significant blood loss.
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When To See A Doctor
If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. You may also have another serious health condition.
Most of the time, high blood pressure doesnât cause headaches or nosebleeds. But, this can happen in a hypertensive crisis when blood pressure is above 180/120. If your blood pressure is extremely high and you have these symptoms, rest for 5 minutes and check again. If your blood pressure is still unusually high, itâs a medical emergency. Call 911.
Itâs important to remember that high blood pressure doesnât usually have symptoms. So, everyone should get it checked regularly. The American Heart Association recommends that adults with normal blood pressure should get blood pressure checked each year at routine health visits. You may also have it checked at a health resource fair or other locations in your community.
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor might recommend that you monitor it more often at home. At-home monitors may work better than store-based machines. Your doctor will also recommend making lifestyle changes along with medications to lower your blood pressure.
Untreated hypertension can lead to serious diseases, including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and eye problems.
Angiotensin Ii Receptor Blockers
Avapro , and another angiotensin II receptor blockers, alleviate high blood pressure by allowing your arteries to relax and widen. Side effects are most likely to occur with a change in dosage, which could be prescribed or induced when you take it irregularly or not as directed.
Taking additional medications, from your healthcare professional or ones you bought at the drug store, including supplements, can trigger a variety of side effects.
Use caution when taking ARBs with any additional prescription or over-the-counter medications, or supplements. Check with your pharmacist about possible interactions that may trigger side effects.
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Other Inconclusively Related Symptoms
A variety of symptoms may be indirectly related to, but are not always caused by, high blood pressure, such as:
- Blood spots in the eyes: Blood spots in the eyes are more common in people with diabetes or high blood pressure, but neither condition causes the blood spots. Floaters in the eyes are also not related to high blood pressure. However, an eye doctor may be able to detect damage to the optic nerve caused by untreated high blood pressure.
- Facial flushing: Facial flushing occurs when blood vessels in the face dilate. It can occur unpredictably or in response to certain triggers such as sun exposure, cold weather, spicy foods, wind, hot drinks and skin-care products. Facial flushing can also occur with emotional stress, exposure to heat or hot water, alcohol consumption and exercise all of which can raise blood pressure temporarily. While facial flushing may occur while your blood pressure is higher than usual, high blood pressure is not the cause of facial flushing.
- Dizziness: While dizziness can be a side effect of some blood pressure medications, it is not caused by high blood pressure. However, dizziness should not be ignored, especially if the onset is sudden. Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and trouble walking are all warning signs of a stroke. High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for stroke.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.
What Is The Connection Between High Blood Pressure And Nausea
While high blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” and many times comes with no symptoms, some people with prolonged high blood pressure may develop symptoms like nausea. High blood pressure and nausea may be closely related because the abnormal pressure causes a lack of oxygen to the brain. The heart of a person with high blood pressure has to work much harder to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body. After a prolonged period of time, this basic task may become too much for the heart and parts of the body, such as the outer limbs and brain, begin to lose their oxygen supply.
Quite often, symptoms of high blood pressure do not occur until the patient has had the condition for long enough that organs have become damaged. Without a routine check of her blood pressure, that patient may have no idea she have high blood pressure until these symptoms appear, at which point it may be too late. If high blood pressure and nausea have not gone untreated for too long, then it may be possible to treat the conditions with simple lifestyle changes. Common changes include a diet low in fat and salt, a moderate exercise routine, and eliminating any drugs or alcohol.
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Choosing Healthier Lifestyle Options
Dizziness and vertigo episodes are symptoms of underlying health issues such as hypertension. Doctors dont classify them as a disease or illness. Thats why, if you want to eliminate them, its crucial to address their root cause. In your case, the symptom stems from your high blood pressure.
Here are some examples of healthier lifestyle choices to keep your blood pressure at an optimum level:
- Aim to be more physically active by spending at least 30 minutes exercising daily
- Keep tabs on your weight and watch your calorie intake
- Reduce your intake of sodium
- If you smoke, aim to lessen or completely get rid of your habit
- Manage your source of stress, such as work and relationships
- Cut back on your consumption of caffeinated beverages or food products
About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or above.
The line between normal and raised blood pressure is not fixed and depends on your individual circumstances. However, most doctors agree that the ideal blood pressure for a physically healthy person is around 120/80mmHg.
A normal blood pressure reading is classed as less than 130/80mmHg.
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Sleep Deprivation And Blood Pressure
There has been some link between getting less than six hours of sleep per night and increased blood pressure. It is generally thought that adequate sleep allows for the body to better regulate stress hormones and the nervous system. Scientists believe that without providing your body with the rest it needs, we are less able to regulate our stress and therefore increase our likelihood of high blood pressure. Aiming for a regular seven to eight hours of restful sleep each night may be both a prevention and treatment method for high blood pressure.
You should know: The answer above provides general health information that is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment recommendations from a qualified healthcare professional.
In Most Cases High Blood Pressure Does Not Cause Headaches Or Nosebleeds
- The best evidence indicates that high blood pressure does not cause headaches or nosebleeds, except in the case of hypertensive crisis, a medical emergency when blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or higher. If your blood pressure is unusually high AND you have headache or nosebleed and are feeling unwell, wait five minutes and retest. If your reading remains at 180/120 mm Hg or higher, call 911.
- If you are experiencing severe headaches or nosebleeds and are otherwise unwell, contact your doctor as they could be symptoms of other health conditions.
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Blood Pressure Medication Side Effects
Its important to keep in mind that all medications have side effects and that includes your blood pressure medications. Most of these side effects go away with time as your body adjusts to the new medication. The most common side effects are:
-
Cough
-
Feeling tired, weak, drowsy, or a lack of energy
-
Headache
-
Skin rash
-
Weight loss or gain without trying
Also, taking more than one medication or supplement at a time can lead to potential interactions, be sure to clear all additional medications with your doctor before beginning them.
Sudden Drop In Blood Pressure
The autonomic nervous system helps the body regulate the shift in blood pressure when we stand up. As we get older, this system may deteriorate, causing a temporary drop in blood pressure when we standknown as orthostatic hypotensionresulting in lightheadedness. This may be a long-term problem, but there are medications to treat it, such as midodrine and fludrocortisone , so this too warrants a trip to your doctor.
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Does High Blood Pressure Make You Tired
Blood pressure is the force of blood flowing through your arteries.
When a persons blood pressure reading is consistently higher than normal, they may be diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Hypertension is a common health condition among adults, and some hypertensive patients report feeling unusually tired.
If youve experienced this, you may have wondered whether high blood pressure is the cause of your fatigue.
Why High Blood Pressure Can Make You Feel Tired
If youve had hypertension for a while, you may have noticed that you sometimes feel tired after little or no exertion.
When left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to some serious medical complications, including those that make you feel tired easily.
Lets take a look at some of these complications that might be causing your fatigue.
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Dizziness High Blood Pressure And Loss Of Balance
- Medical Author: Dan Brennan, MD
Reviewed on 6/15/2020
Your symptoms can be due to multiple medical causes, including middle ear disorders, high blood pressure, stress reactions, and other medical conditions. You might start with rest and hydration. If you are concerned about your symptoms, please contact your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Diagnosis Of Orthostatic Hypotension
- Medical history, including medical conditions and drugs taken on a regular basis
- Physical examination
- Measuring blood pressure when lying down versus standing up
- Blood tests to check, for example, blood sugars or adrenal hormones
- Echocardiography, an imaging scan of the heart, to check for certain heart conditions
- Other tests, depending on individual factors.
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Why Does High Blood Pressure Make Us Feel Tired
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because, in most cases, it doesnt have any apparent symptoms. However, fatigue and chest pains are among the very few indicators of high blood pressure. Fatigue caused by high blood pressure occurs as a result of many different factors including the effects of condition itself, medication management and lifestyle choices. High blood pressure causes tiredness as a result of elevated pressure on vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys.
Often though, medication plays a larger role in contributing to fatigue than the actual condition does. Tiredness is often a common side effect of many medications used to lower blood pressure. Blood pressure medications may slow the pumping action of the heart, in the case of diuretics, the body can easily become depleted of essential electrolytes. The body reacts to this by producing less energy and so results in increased tiredness and fatigue. Unexplained tiredness that doesnt appear to have a cause can be a result of high blood pressure.
What’s The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:
- coronary heart disease – where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
- strokes – a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
- heart attacks – a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked
Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.
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How Is Blood Pressure Measured
Blood pressure is defined as the amount of pressure that is exerted on the artery walls as blood moves through them. It is measured in millimetres of mercury, or mmHg.
A more detailed explanation is provided below.
Two measurements are used to measure blood pressure:
- Systolic pressure – the measure of blood pressure exerted when your heart beats and forces blood around your body.
- Diastolic pressure – the measure of blood pressure when your heart is resting in between beats.
Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are measured in millimetres of mercury .
The figures are usually represented with the systolic pressure first, followed by the diastolic pressure. Therefore, if your GP says that your blood pressure is ‘120 over 80’, or 120/80mmHg, they mean that you have a systolic pressure of 120mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80mmHg.
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Heart Attack And Stroke
At its most serious, lightheadedness may be a sign of a heart attack or stroke. Other symptoms of a heart attack often accompanying lightheadedness are chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, arm pain, back pain, or jaw pain. Symptoms suggesting a stroke are the sudden onset of headache, numbness, weakness, visual changes, trouble walking, or slurred speech. “But in older adults, lightheadedness may be the only symptom of a heart attack or a stroke, especially if it doesn’t go away,” says Dr. Grossman. In that case, every second counts, so get to an emergency room for treatment.
Medications Used To Treat High Blood Pressure
Diuretics
These high blood pressure medications flush extra water and sodium from your body. Diuretics may cause these side effects:
- Extra urination. Extra water out means more time in the bathroom. Take these medications earlier in the day and when you’re not far away from a bathroom.
- Erection problems in some men
- Weakness, leg cramps, or fatigue. Diuretics may decrease the body’s levels of the mineral potassium, which can lead to these side effects. Certain potassium-sparing diuretics do not have this effect, however.
- Intense and sudden foot pain, which is a symptom of gout this is rare.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers make your heart beat less forcefully and more slowly. These medications may cause side effects such as:
- Insomnia and sleep problems
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
These high blood pressure medications block formation of a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow, so vessels relax. ACE inhibitors may cause these side effects:
- A dry, hacking cough that doesn’t go away. If you have this side effect, the doctor may prescribe another type of medication.
- Skin rash and a loss of taste are two other possible side effects of ACE inhibitors.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
These high blood pressure medications shield blood vessels from a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow. This allows blood vessels to stay open. One of the more common side effects of ARBs is dizziness.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Alpha-Blockers
Alpha-2 Receptor Agonist
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