How common is fainting in postural hypotension?

Postural hypotension means blood pressure drops when you move upright. Normally, the body quickly tightens blood vessels and adjusts the heart rate to maintain blood flow to the brain. When that adjustment is delayed or inadequate, you may feel dizzy, dim-sighted, unsteady, or briefly lose consciousness. Symptoms can be more noticeable after getting out of bed, standing in a queue, hot weather, vomiting, diarrhoea, or reduced fluid intake.

Change position in stages: sit on the edge of the bed before standing, and hold a stable surface when you rise. If symptoms arrive, sit or lie down before you fall and raise your legs if safe. Keep a note of when episodes happen and whether they relate to meals, illness, fluids, or medicines. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own; a clinician can check whether the dose or timing needs review.

Call emergency services for fainting with chest pain, shortness of breath, a new irregular heartbeat, serious injury, persistent reduced consciousness, or stroke-like symptoms. Prompt review is sensible after a first blackout, recurrent fainting, or a fall. Seek same-day advice if vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, or poor drinking is making it difficult to stay hydrated.

Ask whether blood pressure should be measured while lying and after standing, whether any medicine could worsen dizziness, and which fluid or salt advice fits your medical history. Mention heart disease, diabetes, nerve symptoms, recent illness, and every medicine or supplement you use.