Blood pressure and being light headed

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi team

I have an issue where I become light headed when doing squats or deadlifts even at RPE5 or 6. I breath between reps and brace.

I gave my doctor a call and she said it could be dehydration or blood pressure and she recommended I take my blood pressure before lifting and after to see if my heart rate is going up. I don’t think it’s dehydration because I drink 2 litres of water a day minimum.

so my resting heart rate on 3 different reads at three different times are (I’m a 70kg 184cm tall 32 year old male):

Resting reading 1: 98 sys/64 dia… pulse 70
Resting reading 2: 113/60… pulse 60
Resting reading 3: 112/69… pulse 73

After deadlifts: 126/92… pulse 83

Doctor said blood pressure abit low but seems normal. Recommended anemic and blood sugar blood test… although I had them a year ago and was all clear.

Could anything else be causing the light hardiness from a lifter who’s also a doctor perspective?

My own suspicion is because my cardiovascular system isn’t well conditioned? I work from home so I don’t get many steps or cardio in. I do go for bike rides or walks but not for long… so for example if I walked 45 mins+ it would be relatively tiring…. So I’m aiming for 6k steps everyday this week, followed by 8k everyday next week to eventually 10k a day the week after.

thanks!

Shaz

2

Conditioning may be playing a role, and perhaps the method/techinque you’re using to brace and hold your breath throughout these sets. Experimenting with your bracing/breathing technique would probably be the next thing I’d experiment with (or consult with a coach for some guidance on, if needed) rather than chasing down more medical tests.