Why Does Blood Pressure Increase When Standing Up

Why Blood Pressure Is Higher As Soon As You Sit Down

The current blood pressure guidelines state the following:

Have the patient relax, sitting in a chair with feet flat on floor and back supported. The patient should be seated for 3-5 min without talking or moving around before recording the first BP reading.

Not only do the guidelines suggest sitting down for 3-5 minutes, but they say to not talk or move around 1. Why is blood pressure higher as soon as you sit down?

Blood pressure is higher as soon as you sit down for the following reasons:

• The muscles may be tensed and unrelaxed.
• Stress levels may be higher without having five minutes to relax.
• Stress hormones, like cortisol, constrict blood vessels and raises the heart rate.
• The body may not be in the recommended position as soon as a person sits
• Breathing may be erratic and unnormal

As for breathing, did you know breathing exercises have been shown to lower blood pressure in studies? Theres a home device recommended by the American Heart Association and the College of Cardiology. It simply guides your breathing for a short time while using it.

This device has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure. Check it out and learn more in the company website here, Resperate.

Heres an interesting story. During the American Medical Association meeting in 2015, 159 medical students were given a blood pressure challenge to perform measurements properly 2. They were scored on the following 11 different skills:

Legs uncrossed.

No mobile phone use or reading.

Known As Orthostatic Hypotension This Condition Can Leave People Dizzy And Lightheaded For Some It May Also Be A Harbinger Of Heart Disease

Have you ever felt a bit woozy just after standing up? When you transition from sitting to standing, gravity causes blood to pool in your legs. Sometimes especially if you’re dehydrated or overheated it takes your body a moment to push blood upward, causing a brief delay in blood flow to the brain.

For most people, this phenomenon occurs just once in a while and usually isn’t a serious problem. But age, some medications, and certain medical conditions can interfere with the body’s normal mechanism for regulating blood pressure . If that happens, your blood pressure may drop dramatically when you stand up. Known as orthostatic hypotension , the problem affects about 5% of people younger than 50. But up to 20% of people ages 70 and older may have OH.

Several diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer, can contribute to the problem, which is also known as postural hypotension. Now, new research adds to the suspected connection between OH and cardiovascular disease.

What Are The Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure often has no symptoms, but can sometimes mean that not enough blood is flowing to your brain or organs. This can cause symptoms such as:

• feeling dizzy, faint or light-headed
• feeling unsteady
• suddenly noticing your heartbeat
• fainting

If you have these symptoms, stop what youre doing and sit down or lie down in case you fall, and drink some water.

Speak to your doctor or nurse if you experience these symptoms. As well as being unpleasant, they could mean youre at risk of having a fall. They could also be a sign of another health problem.

Recommended Reading: Can I Take Claritin With High Blood Pressure

How Is Orthostatic Hypotension Managed Or Treated

If you have episodes of orthostatic hypotension, your healthcare provider will first try to determine if you have another condition or disease that is causing it. In many cases, treating the disease that is causing the orthostatic hypotension will cure it.

If youre taking a medication known to cause orthostatic hypotension, your provider may change the dose or switch you to a different drug. Rarely, people with orthostatic hypotension need medications to increase blood volume and pressure. These medications include:

• Droxidopa .

Get Plenty Exercise When Youre Not Sitting

Many of us cant avoid sitting down a lot, especially if we work at a desk or travel a lot. So, if you really cant avoid it, then do your best to get in a good bout of moderate exercise in at some point or points in the day.

Some studies suggest you need to do at least an hour of moderate exercise a day to counteract the negative effects of sitting for most of the day. It doesnt have to be an hour all at once it could be in three twenty-minute stints.

For example, one Australian study found that going for a short walk for half an hour in the morning, as well as having short breaks from sitting throughout the day, could improve blood pressure a little.

Swimming is a particularly good way of alleviating some of the negative effects of sitting. Since the water supports your body, it really allows you to relax and stretch use different muscles. Even if youre not a serious swimmer, just messing about in the water is good for you. More details on that here: 1 activity you really need if you spend most of your day sitting

You May Like: Can High Blood Pressure Cause Nerve Damage

Common Causes Of High Blood Pressure Spikes

Some people with high blood pressure will experience sharp rises in their blood pressure. These spikes, which typically last only a short period of time, are also known as sudden high blood pressure. These are some possible causes:

• Caffeine
• Certain medications or combinations of medications
• Chronic kidney disease

Causes Of Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure typically results from one or more of the following:

• Dilation of small arteries

• Certain heart disorders

• Too little blood volume

Dilation of arterioles can be caused by

• Certain drugs

• Spinal cord injuries, in which the nerves that cause the arterioles to constrict are impaired

Low blood pressure also occurs when the nerves that conduct signals between the brain and the heart and blood vessels are impaired by neurologic disorders called autonomic neuropathies Autonomic Neuropathies Autonomic neuropathies are disorders affecting the peripheral nerves that automatically regulate body processes . Causes include diabetes, amyloidosis… read more .

When a person quickly moves from a sitting position to a standing position, blood pressure in the blood vessels to the brain decreases, resulting in a temporary sensation of light-headedness or faintness. This is called orthostatic hypotension Dizziness or Light-Headedness When Standing Up In some people, particularly older people, blood pressure drops excessively when they sit or stand up . Symptoms of faintness, light-headedness… read more . It can be more pronounced in people who are dehydrated or warm , have certain illnesses, or have been lying down or sitting for prolonged periods of time. Orthostatic hypotension can even cause people to faint. In most people, the body quickly acts to increase blood pressure and prevent the person from fainting.

Recommended Reading: Lower Bloodpressure

Good Sleep Can Prevent And Manage High Blood Pressure

Most people experience a dip in blood pressure during the deepest stage of sleep , which is the body’s normal and healthy reaction to sleep. Not having that nighttime dip is a risk factor for heart disease and may increase daytime blood pressure.

Typically people spend 90 minutes to two hours in slow wave sleep per night. A recent study published in Hypertension found that men who got less slow wave sleep each night were a higher risk for hypertension than men who got more deep sleep.

While sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, and age can both affect the amount of deep sleep you get, there are steps you can take to ensure a good night’s sleep. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and being more active during the day can help improve the quality of your sleep.

Why Does My Blood Pressure Go Up When I Stand

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Recommended Reading: Does Claritin Cause High Blood Pressure

Standing Versus Lying Down

Typically, when medical professionals take a blood pressure reading, the person stays in one position, usually sitting or lying down.

However, they will sometimes take readings in more than one position, usually to test for drops in blood pressure when moving from lying down to sitting or standing. If it drops significantly, healthcare experts call it .

In some people, blood pressure can increase when transitioning from sitting to standing.

The authors of the current study wanted to determine if people who had higher blood pressure standing versus lying down were at a greater risk for adverse cardiac and kidney problems. Study author Dr. Paolo Palatini explained the following to Medical News Today:

Up to now, doctors measured on standing only in on pharmacological treatment with the purpose of detecting orthostatic hypotension. In young to middle age people, is currently measured only in the lying or the sitting posture.

What Are The Causes Of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Most of the time, POTS has no clear cause, but it can sometimes be triggered by a viral infection, traumatic event or pregnancy.

POTS has also been linked to some medical conditions, including:

• sarcoidosis
• poisoning with alcohol or some metals

It also seems to be more common in people born female than male although POTS can affect anyone.

Recommended Reading: Does Claritin Affect Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Differences When Lying Down Standing Up And Sitting

Written byDr. Victor MarchionePublished onMay 6, 2016

Accurate blood pressure measurements, including blood pressure differences when lying down versus standing up and sitting can be very helpful when healthcare providers are trying to monitor the condition. However, its important to understand the impact that each position has on blood pressure levels.

There are three common positions that healthcare workers use when taking someones blood pressure. Taking blood pressure lying down is the obvious method used when a patient is hospitalized, but in a doctors office a patient is usually sitting in a chair. Some nurses also measure blood pressure while a person is standing.

Records show that diastolic pressure is about 55mm/Hg lower when taking blood pressure lying down vs. sitting. Systolic pressure is approximately 88 mm/Hg in the lying down position versus the sitting position, but only when the person taking the measurement positions the patients arm so that it is at the same level as the right atrium of the heart.

People should also be conscious of the fact thatblood pressure readings are different if you are in a sitting position with your legs crossed. It actually increases systolic pressure by as much as 8mm/Hg.

Why You Should Take Your Own Blood Pressure At Home Or On The Go

Because of regular fluctuations in blood pressure, white-coat syndrome, and masked hypertension, doctors may recommend self-monitoring for people with HBP. There are many benefits to taking your own BP:

• Knowing your actual, average blood pressure outside of regular fluctuations
• Gaining more control over your blood pressure
• Tracking your progress
• Saving time and possibly money from frequent doctor visits and complications

Recommended Reading: Vinegar To Lower Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Measuring Tips

Consider that when your blood pressure is being measured, your arm should be at the level of your heart. If the arm is hanging down whether you are sitting or standing, the arm should be extended out. If you are lying down, the arm should be along your side, leveled with your body.

Aside from being aware of your arm position, here are some other tips to keep in mind when having your blood pressure measured:

• Rest for about five minutes before the reading is taken.
• Try not to eat or exercise for 30 minutes before a screening.
• Have your reading in the morning, since your bodys rhythms can cause blood pressure to rise in the afternoon and evening.
• Have your pressure taken from all three positions: sitting, standing, and lying down.
• Have your blood pressure taken three times in one session with one minute of rest between each test.

Dont get caught up in comparing your blood pressure to others. Instead, know that there is a healthy blood pressure level for each sex and specific age. Here you can find an age and gender chart you can check to see what your healthy range is.

Monitoring your blood pressure on a regular basis can give you the most accurate picture of what is happening with your blood pressure. There are some common factors that can impact your pressure readings. Many are related to lifestyle and include smoking, diet, and physical activity level. Family history can also play a role, as can stress.

How Can I Prevent Orthostatic Hypotension

If youre prone to orthostatic hypotension, these steps can reduce symptoms:

• Keep your temperature moderate: Dont take very hot baths or showers.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol and avoid heavy, high-carbohydrate meals.
• Dont sleep flat: Elevate your head at night by using more pillows or tilting the mattress.
• Prepare before standing: Give yourself more time to move into a standing position after sitting or lying down. Have something sturdy nearby to hold onto when you stand up.
• Move your muscles: March your feet if you must stand for prolonged periods. Do isometric exercises to raise blood pressure before standing.
• Support blood pressure: Wear compression stockings or an abdominal binder to improve blood circulation and pressure.

You May Like: Treating High Blood Pressure

What Happens In Pots

Normally when you sit up or stand, gravity pulls some of your blood down to your belly area, hands and feet.

In response, your blood vessels quickly narrow and your heart rate increases slightly to maintain blood flow to the heart and brain, and prevent blood pressure dropping.

This is all done without needing to think about it, by the autonomic nervous system the nervous system in charge of automatic body functions.

In PoTS, the autonomic nervous system does not work properly. There’s a drop in blood supply to the heart and brain when you become upright and the heart races to compensate for this.

The Best Position To Take Blood Pressure

Resting quietly for 3-5 minutes and following the six steps just mentioned is not enough for an accurate reading. Your body, arms and legs play a huge role in your measurements 5. Therefore, what is the best position to take blood pressure?

The best position to take blood pressure is sitting down in an upright chair. The feet should be flat on the floor, legs uncrossed, back supported and the cuffed arm supported on a flat surface. The flat surface should be at a height which makes the BP cuff the same level as the heart.

You may have heard the cuff should be the same level as the heart before, but what is heart level for blood pressure?

Heart level for blood pressure is having the BP cuff height at the same level of the right atrium. This level is midpoint of the sternum which runs from where the clavicle bones meet down to where the bottom of the ribcage turns up and meets.

You May Like: Claritin And High Blood Pressure

Condition Causes Significant Drop In Blood Pressure Upon Standing

Dear Mayo Clinic:

My mother is 62 and has had very low blood pressure for two years. She was hospitalized with blood pressure that dropped from 200/78 in bed to 60/40 sitting up. What could be causing this and what can be done to treat her?

Answer:

Your mother has a condition called orthostatic hypotension. It happens when blood pressure falls significantly as a person stands up. Orthostatic hypotension can cause a variety of symptoms the most common are feelings of dizziness and faintness.

Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure in a person’s arteries during the active and resting phases of each heartbeat. When you stand, gravity causes your blood pressure to fall slightly as blood pools in your legs, lowering the amount of blood circulating back to your heart to pump. Normally, the drop in blood pressure is limited, though, because when you stand your nervous system triggers your blood vessels to narrow and your heart to beat faster. Sometimes, however, those nervous system responses do not happen the way they should, resulting in large swings in blood pressure from lying down to standing.

Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension usually get worse in hot weather or when you are dehydrated. Some medications can also increase symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, including blood pressure medications, medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease, antidepressants and bronchodilators, as well as caffeine, alcohol and appetite suppressants.

Monitoring And Controlling Blood Pressure

Baroreceptors are specialized cells located within arteries that act as blood pressure sensors. Those in the large arteries of the neck and chest are particularly important. When baroreceptors detect a change in blood pressure, they trigger the body to react to maintain a steady blood pressure. Nerves carry signals from these sensors and the brain to

• The heart, which is signaled to change the rate and force of heartbeats . This change is one of the first, and it corrects low blood pressure quickly.

• The arterioles, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .

• The veins, which are signaled to constrict or dilate .

• The kidneys, which are signaled to change the amount of fluid excreted and to change the amount of hormones that they produce . This change takes a long time to produce results and thus is the slowest mechanism for how the body controls blood pressure.

Nonetheless, the ways that the body can monitor and control blood pressure have limitations. For example, if a person loses a lot of blood quickly, the body cannot compensate quickly enough, blood pressure falls, and organs may begin to malfunction .

In addition, as people age, the body responds to changes in blood pressure more slowly.

Read Also: Can Claritin Cause High Blood Pressure