Orthostatic Hypotension from exercise or Diet?

Im a nurse. wait a minute before getting up (ie just sit there). I think you are probably dehydrated and that might account for a lower volume of blood. Typically you could become orthostatic when on specific medications (diuretics, blood pressure meds, etc) but in your case it could be that your blood is in your legs instead of your head. I dont think you'd necessarily qualify for the official diagnosis of being orthostatic but it wouldnt hurt to hydrate and take your time getting up

Don't go on the couch.:laugh:


It's not uncommon, however if you're worried about it, then consult a physician.

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I think I might have Orthostatic Hypotension?

Over the last month or so I've been experience dizzyness in the evenings when I get up fast.

For some reason this mostly Happens after i get off the couch.


I've been going pretty hard. I'm cycling 4-5 hundred miles a month now.


I remember this happening before but not with this regularaty.

What can I do to decrease this?

Nice that we've got some medical professionals willing to give us the benefit of their expertise. Thank you!

Interesting that you happen to mention that issue - "Waterlogged", the book about how too much water kills people, talks about runners (the subjects of his studies are runners) suffering from hypotension when they stop suddenly at the end of a race.

As Dr Noakes discusses, one of the benefits of exercise is that you improve you the blood supply to the legs. In the case of runners, and I would assume that bike riders undergo similar changes, is that the increased capacity in the lower limbs has an impact when runners get to the finish line and STOP running.

At this point, there's so much blood in the lower extremities that they're more susceptible to hypotension and, "Timber!", over they go. The treatment is simply to raise the feet above the heart and allow the runner to recover naturally.

So, it's possible that your efforts are paying off (increased blood capacity in the legs) but there's a downside, as well.

And I finally get to see the "Doc, it hurts when I cough. Don't cough!" skit played out in real life. ;-)

I seem to recall that as individuals get fitter and their resting heart rate decreases there is an increased tendency for orthostatic hypotension.

Am I recalling that correctly or not? A brief google search turned up some results that inferred that but nobody came right out and said they were related.