Question

I have been taking my blood pressure medication as prescribed and my reading is 130/90 most of the time, occasionally it is 120/80. However, recently, I get dizzy and "pass out" very briefly - say for 30 seconds or less - once or more times a day. Is this problem common or a side effect of my drugs?

Answer

The first thing that I noted is that your blood pressure is at the level that most doctors prefer. Of course if you have had high blood pressure for a while, your body may take some time to adjust to your "normal" pressures. I'm going to assume your problem is related to a change in posture, and is known as "orthostatic hypotension".

We need adequate blood to the brain to provide needed oxygen and glucose for the brain to function properly. When a person with low blood pressure quickly rises from a sitting or lying position the blood to the brain is temporarily reduced. This is because of gravity, and also, perhaps, medications that slow down the heart's response to a change in position by raising the blood flow to the brain.

If the brain is deprived of an adequate amount of blood, even for a few seconds, the person may feel light headed, dizzy and may even see spots in their field of vision. As soon as the body responds to the lowered blood pressure everything returns to normal within a minute or less.

We need to know what might be the cause of your pressure dropping when you stand. If you are taking medications for high blood pressure as you stated (or a diuretic or "water pill"), this could be the reason. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and if an adjustment in your medications may be necessary.

Are you well hydrated? Make sure that you have an adequate intake of fluids each day.

Orthostatic hypotension is not dangerous; in fact doctors expect it in patients that are on certain medications. They warn their patients not to rise suddenly from bed or a chair. For right now, avoid getting up quickly from your chair. When you do get up stay by your chair for a few seconds to make sure that you are stable. Then take your first steps.