What should you know about transient postural hypotension?

Postural hypotension, also called orthostatic hypotension, happens when the body does not adjust blood flow quickly enough as you move from lying or sitting to standing. Blood may briefly pool in the legs, reducing blood flow to the brain. Symptoms can include light-headedness, blurred vision, unsteadiness, nausea, or a feeling that you may faint. An episode that settles quickly may be triggered by getting up suddenly, heat, sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, not drinking enough, alcohol, or medicines that lower blood pressure. Repeated episodes deserve assessment because the trigger may need attention.

Sit or lie down straight away, preferably with your legs raised, until the feeling passes. Move slowly when rising: turn on your side, sit at the edge of the bed, pause, then stand while holding a stable surface. Drink fluids if you can do so safely and have not been told to restrict them. Avoid driving, climbing, or using machinery while dizzy. Keep a record of when symptoms occur, your position, recent illness, fluid intake, and medicines; take it to a GP consultation. Do not stop prescribed medicine without medical advice.

Seek urgent medical help if dizziness or near-fainting comes with chest pain, severe breathlessness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, new weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, a severe headache, or an injury. Get prompt assessment after an actual faint, especially if it happened during exertion, while lying down, or without warning. Arrange a GP appointment if episodes recur, become more intense, interfere with daily activities, or follow a medicine change. A clinician may review your history, medicines, hydration, pulse, and blood pressure lying and standing.

Ask what may be triggering the episodes, whether any medicine could contribute, how to rise safely, and whether your fluid or salt intake needs individual advice. Ask which symptoms should prompt urgent help and whether you should have blood tests or heart monitoring.