Why Do I Feel Dizzy When I Get Up? Causes and Solutions Explained

Feeling dizzy when getting up is called orthostatic hypotension, when blood pressure drops briefly. Stand slowly and drink fluids.

Why

Standing makes blood pool in the legs. If pressure drops briefly, less blood reaches the brain, causing dizziness. This is orthostatic hypotension: a drop of 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes.

Common causes

• Dehydration.
• Medicines.
• Anemia.
• Standing quickly.
• Heart problems.
• Pregnancy.

What helps

Stand slowly and drink water.

See a doctor

If frequent or you faint.

Orthostatic changes

When you stand, about 500 to 800 mL of blood shifts to the legs and abdomen. The body responds within seconds by narrowing vessels and raising heart rate. If this reflex lags, blood pressure drops and the brain gets less blood, causing dizziness. Orthostatic hypotension is a fall of 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing.

• Dehydration, long bed rest, pregnancy, anemia and heat are common contributors.
• Medicines include blood pressure drugs, diuretics, antidepressants and drugs for Parkinson disease.
• Older adults are more affected, and the prevalence is about 20 percent in people over 65.

What helps

Rise slowly, sit at the bed edge for a minute, drink water, and flex the calves before standing. Compression stockings or more salt may be advised by a doctor. See a doctor if you faint, dizziness is frequent, or comes with chest pain, palpitations or neurological symptoms. Dizziness with spinning might be inner-ear related (BPPV), which is treated with the Epley maneuver.

Orthostatic changes

Standing causes about 500 to 800 mL of blood to pool in the legs. The body compensates with faster heart rate and vessel constriction. If this is slow, blood pressure drops and causes dizziness. Dehydration, medicines, anemia, low blood sugar and heart rhythm problems contribute.

What helps

Rise slowly, drink water, avoid long standing and ask a doctor to check blood pressure sitting and standing. Seek help for fainting, chest pain or palpitations.

Blood pressure drop on standing

Orthostatic hypotension affects about 6 percent of the general population and 30 percent of adults over 65. Causes include dehydration, blood loss, anemia, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes neuropathy and drugs like diuretics, tamsulosin and antidepressants. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) causes a heart rate rise of 30 bpm or more on standing and affects 1 to 3 million Americans.

Self help and tests

Increase fluids to 2 to 3 liters daily unless restricted, add salt only if advised, wear compression stockings and rise in steps. A doctor measures blood pressure lying and after 1 and 3 minutes of standing. A tilt table test is used for syncope. Seek urgent care for fainting with injury, chest pain or palpitations.

Based on data from the American Autonomic Society and the Mayo Clinic