Does low blood pressure cause dizziness?

You may feel lightheaded, unsteady, weak, or as if the room is moving. A sudden drop can happen when you rise from a chair or bed because the body has not yet adjusted blood flow. Low blood pressure is only one possible explanation; inner-ear problems, low blood sugar, anaemia, infection, anxiety, and medicine effects can also cause dizziness. A clinician may compare readings while you are lying down and standing, review your medicines, and ask about fluid intake, meals, bleeding, and recent illness.

Sit or lie down immediately and avoid driving, climbing, or operating machinery until you feel steady. Stand up in stages, moving your ankles and pausing before walking. Drink fluids if you can do so safely, and eat regular meals unless a clinician has advised otherwise. Do not stop prescribed medicine or deliberately increase salt without medical advice. Repeated episodes deserve an appointment, especially if they began after a new medicine or occur with palpitations, vomiting, diarrhoea, or poor intake.

Seek emergency help for dizziness with chest pain, severe breathlessness, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, a severe headache, heavy bleeding, or collapse. Arrange prompt assessment after a first faint, an injury from a fall, or dizziness that is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by a very fast or irregular heartbeat.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a postural blood-pressure drop, which readings should be checked, whether any medicine could contribute, and how much fluid is appropriate for you. Mention when episodes occur, how long they last, and whether you have blurred vision, nausea, or a racing heartbeat.