Feeling Faint? Why Your Blood Pressure Is Sinking & Medical Next Steps

Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or like you might pass out can be frightening. In many cases, the cause is low blood pressure—also known as hypotension. While low blood pressure is often harmless, especially in healthy people, it can sometimes signal an underlying issue that needs medical attention.

Here's what you need to know about why your blood pressure may be sinking, what it means for your health, and when to take the next step.

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What Is Low Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against your artery walls. A typical healthy reading is around 120/80 mmHg.

Low blood pressure is generally defined as below 90/60 mmHg.

However, numbers alone don't tell the whole story. Some people naturally run low and feel perfectly fine. Others develop symptoms even with a small drop.

What matters most is how you feel.

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Common Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

If your blood pressure drops too low, your brain may not get enough blood flow. That's when symptoms happen.

You might experience:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Feeling faint or actually fainting (syncope)
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Cold, clammy skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing

If symptoms are mild and brief, they may not signal a serious problem. But repeated or severe episodes should be evaluated.

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Why Is Your Blood Pressure Sinking?

There are several reasons blood pressure can drop. Some are temporary and harmless. Others require medical care.

1. Dehydration

Not drinking enough fluids is one of the most common causes of low blood pressure.

When your body loses more fluids than it takes in (from sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever), your blood volume drops. Less volume means less pressure.

What helps:

• Drink water regularly
• Increase fluids during illness or hot weather
• Use oral rehydration solutions if needed

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2. Standing Up Too Quickly (Orthostatic Hypotension)

If you feel dizzy when standing up, your blood pressure may be dropping suddenly. This is called orthostatic hypotension.

Normally, your body tightens blood vessels and increases heart rate when you stand. If this reflex is delayed or weak, blood pools in your legs, and your brain briefly gets less blood.

Common triggers include:

• Dehydration
• Long periods of bed rest
• Aging
• Certain medications

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3. Vasovagal Syncope

One of the most common causes of fainting is vasovagal syncope. It happens when your nervous system overreacts to a trigger, causing a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure.

Triggers may include:

• Emotional stress
• Seeing blood
• Standing for long periods
• Pain
• Heat exposure

Before fainting, people often notice warning signs like nausea, sweating, or tunnel vision.

If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to understand whether they might be related to this condition, you can use a free Vasovagal Syncope symptom checker to evaluate your risk and get personalized health insights.

While vasovagal episodes are usually not life-threatening, recurrent fainting should still be discussed with a doctor.

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4. Heart Problems

Sometimes low blood pressure is related to heart issues, including:

• Abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Heart valve problems
• Heart attack
• Heart failure

If the heart cannot pump effectively, blood pressure can fall.

Seek urgent care if low blood pressure occurs with:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Severe weakness
• Confusion
• New irregular heartbeat

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5. Blood Loss

Internal or external bleeding reduces blood volume, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Causes may include:

• Injury
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Heavy menstrual bleeding

This situation can become life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

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6. Severe Infection (Sepsis)

A severe infection can spread into the bloodstream and cause blood vessels to widen dramatically. This leads to a sharp drop in blood pressure known as septic shock.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Rapid breathing
• Confusion
• Extreme weakness

This is a medical emergency.

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7. Hormone Problems

Certain hormone conditions can lead to low blood pressure, including:

• Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease)
• Thyroid disorders
• Diabetes-related nerve damage

If low blood pressure is persistent and unexplained, doctors may test hormone levels.

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8. Medications

Some medications can lower blood pressure too much, including:

• Blood pressure medications
• Diuretics ("water pills")
• Antidepressants
• Parkinson's medications
• Erectile dysfunction medications

If you suspect medication is the cause, do not stop it on your own. Speak to a doctor about adjusting the dose safely.

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When Is Low Blood Pressure Dangerous?

Low blood pressure becomes concerning when:

• It causes repeated fainting
• It results in falls or injuries
• It happens suddenly
• It's linked with chest pain or shortness of breath
• It follows a serious injury
• It comes with confusion or difficulty speaking

Sudden, severe drops in blood pressure can lead to shock, which is life-threatening.

If symptoms are severe or worsening, seek emergency care immediately.

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How Doctors Evaluate Low Blood Pressure

If you visit a healthcare provider, they may:

• Review your symptoms and triggers
• Check blood pressure sitting and standing
• Perform blood tests
• Order an ECG (heart tracing)
• Recommend heart monitoring
• Assess for dehydration or infection

The goal is to determine whether your low blood pressure is harmless or a sign of a deeper problem.

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What Can You Do Right Now?

If your symptoms are mild:

• Sit or lie down immediately
• Raise your legs
• Drink water
• Avoid sudden standing
• Eat small, regular meals
• Limit alcohol

For people with frequent episodes:

• Increase salt intake (only if approved by a doctor)
• Wear compression stockings
• Stand up slowly
• Avoid prolonged standing
• Stay well hydrated

Always discuss long-term strategies with a healthcare provider.

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Can Low Blood Pressure Be a Good Thing?

Interestingly, people with naturally low blood pressure often have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. If you feel well and have no symptoms, low readings may not require treatment.

The concern arises when low blood pressure interferes with daily life or signals another condition.

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The Bottom Line

Low blood pressure is common and often manageable. In many cases, it's triggered by dehydration, standing too quickly, or a temporary nervous system response like vasovagal syncope.

However, it can also reflect heart problems, blood loss, severe infection, or hormonal disorders. That's why it's important not to ignore recurring or severe symptoms.

If you've been experiencing fainting episodes with warning signs like nausea, sweating, or lightheadedness, taking a free online assessment through a Vasovagal Syncope symptom checker can help you prepare for a more informed conversation with your doctor.

Most importantly:

If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, severe weakness, or repeated fainting, seek urgent medical care.

Even if symptoms seem mild, speak to a doctor about ongoing or unexplained low blood pressure. A proper evaluation can rule out serious causes and give you peace of mind.

Your body gives warning signs for a reason. Pay attention to them—and don't hesitate to get expert medical advice when something feels off.