Low blood pressure when you stand up: what to know

This pattern is often called postural or orthostatic hypotension. You may feel light-headed, unsteady, weak, blurred vision, or close to fainting soon after rising from bed or a chair. Dehydration, vomiting, diarrhoea, heat, prolonged rest, alcohol, and some medicines can contribute. It can also occur with conditions affecting the heart, nerves, or hormone balance.

Rise in stages: sit at the edge of the bed, move your feet, then stand while holding a stable surface. Drink fluids unless a clinician has restricted them, avoid standing still for long periods, and sit or lie down as soon as symptoms begin. Do not change prescribed medicine or add salt without medical advice.

Arrange a GP assessment if episodes recur, cause a fall, or began after a medicine change. Seek urgent help for fainting with chest pain, severe breathlessness, a new irregular heartbeat, confusion, weakness on one side, or bleeding. A clinician may compare blood pressure lying and standing and review hydration and medicines.

Ask whether your medicines, fluid intake, anaemia, heart rhythm, or nervous-system function could be contributing, and whether you should record readings and symptoms at home.