Vertigo and blood pressure

Lightheadedness may feel like you could faint, especially after standing quickly, missing a meal, becoming dehydrated or taking a medicine that lowers pressure. Vertigo is a movement illusion: the room spins, tilts or moves when it is still. A blood pressure reading alone cannot identify the cause. Inner-ear problems such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease or a middle-ear infection can produce spinning without being caused by blood pressure. Migraine can also affect balance, sometimes without a strong headache.

Sit or lie down when symptoms begin, then rise slowly once steady. Drink normally unless a clinician has restricted fluids, and record the time, posture, symptoms and any home blood pressure readings. Use the same arm and a correctly fitted cuff if you are checking at home. Do not double, stop or change blood-pressure medicine because of one episode. A clinician can compare readings lying and standing, review medicines and examine the ears and nervous system.

Seek emergency care for fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, new weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, confusion, severe headache or inability to walk. Obtain prompt advice for repeated near-fainting, a very irregular heartbeat, persistent vomiting or symptoms after a medication change. Do not assume a dangerous symptom is simply a blood-pressure fluctuation.

Ask whether your description sounds like vertigo or postural lightheadedness and whether your medicines could contribute. Share readings with their posture and timing, your pulse if known, recent illness, fluid intake, falls and any hearing or migraine symptoms. Ask what reading pattern or symptom should prompt urgent help.