Orthostatic hypotension

Sometimes on days that I lift heavy (for example, many deadlifts) I have brief periods of dizziness when standing, usually after returning home and relaxing for a bit… This is perhaps every few weeks and the episodes last well under a minute. I don’t lose consciousness, but do feel as if I should just hold onto something. I’m otherwise healthy, normal BP, etc.

Is this something to worry about or to see a doctor?

This can happen for many reasons, but principally relates to the regulation of blood pressure (and thus blood flow to the brain) when changing positions.

This can be affected by what people commonly think of as “dehydration” (for example, inadequate fluid intake to replace losses during exercise), blood pressure medicines, and certain other underlying medical conditions that a physician could help evaluate if needed. If this tends to happen in close association with exercise, I’d try working on improving fluid intake around exercise and seeing if that helps first.

There is some evidence that isometric training can improve this, and additionally holding isometric contractions during an episode of orthostasis can help resolve symptoms more quickly (look up “orthostatic hypotension isometric maneuvers”).

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I almost had another episode after today’s workout. I started to feel a bit light-headed after standing, so I tensed as much as I could (basically, valsalva and bracing) and the feeling passed. I did sweat a fair amount during the session. I should have a larger sample size before drawing any conclusions.

I’m not sure I had enough water - I drank some during the workout but should have had more. I’m not taking blood pressure meds (or any other meds) and nothing turned up at an annual wellness visit a couple of months ago.

Thank you!