What causes the short blackouts I get when I get up after I have been sitting or lying down for a long time?

Question

Sometimes when I get up, if I have been sitting down for a while, or if I just woke up, I get really dizzy and I black out for a few seconds, my vision just goes dark.

Answer 1

This happens to me too. It could be low blood sugar, and you just have to eat more regularly, or it actually could be bad circulation. Next time you are at your doctors, be sure to mention this to them, they can check to see if you have bad circulation, but there is a specific test for this (they strap you to a table and check your blood pressure while you are at all different angles) which they won't do unless you mention this to them. See the problem is that when you go and get your blood pressure checked, you are always sitting down while they check you, and poor circulation can be shown through blood pressure readings, but most likely only while you are laying down or standing up. Anyway, like I said, mention it to your doctor next time you are there.

Answer 2

Changes in blood pressure after standing abruptly can cause dizziness and fainting. The sudden drop in pressure and shift in the area of the body in which most of the blood is can cause lightheadedness.The blood leaves the head and shifts to the legs and the rest of the body.

This is very common in people with low blood pressure, that of lower than 120/60 on a regular basis. To avoid fainting and black outs, try sitting for a few seconds, after you get up from a lying position, and then stand up. Make sure you stand still for a second or two before you begin walking.

If your blood pressure tilts are becoming hazardous or hard to deal with, it's always best to see a doctor. Blood pressure that is too low can be harmful, though it is not near as harmful as high blood pressure. For this, your doctor can prescribe an antihypotensive medication.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

I experienced this a lot when I was about 15 or 16 years old. I would black out, get dizzy, and fall down. My doctor did all kinds of tests and finally determined that my blood pressure was abnormally low. He said that everyone's blood pressure drops when they stand up, but because mine was already low (80 over something) it would drop dangerously low and I would black out. He told me to consume more sodium. I never salted my food before, so once I started doing that the symptoms went away. I've been fine for 6 years now. Get your blood pressure checked to see if your situation could be similiar.

Answer 4

There are quite a few problems that will cause these symptoms to present. Low blood pressure, low blood sugar are the most common. However to elominate all the worst scenarios and to provide you with a correct diagnosis and treatment you should consult your physician. Regardless of the cause the matter is serious

Answer 5

Blood pressure/poor blood circulation.. blood's not getting to your head fast enough. It's the same reason people pass out when not enough oxygen gets to the brain.

Go to a nearby pharmacy (or stores with a pharmacy - ie, Walmart) and sit at a blood pressure machine. It'll be a quick test to see if you've got low blood pressure

Answer 6

Your symptoms sound like postural hypotension.

Postural hypotension (Low Blood Pressure) is considered a failure of the autonomic nervous system — the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary vital actions, such as the heartbeat — to react appropriately to sudden changes.

When you stand up, some blood pools in your lower extremities.

Uncorrected, this would cause your blood pressure to fall. However, normally your body compensates by sending messages to your heart to beat faster and to your blood vessels to constrict. This offsets the drop in blood pressure. If this does not happen, or happens too slowly, postural hypotension results.

The incidence of both low and high blood pressure normally increases with age, due in part to normal changes. In addition, blood flow in the brain declines with age, often as a result of plaque buildup in blood vessels. So the prevalence of postural hypotension also increases with age; an estimated 10-20% of elderly people have postural hypotension.

What Causes It?

The cause of low blood pressure isn't always clear. It may be associated with the following:

Pregnancy.
Hormonal problems such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Many over-the-counter medications.
Overdose of high blood pressure drugs.
Heart failure.
Heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
Widening, or dilation, of the blood vessels.
Heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Liver disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure?

Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Unsteadiness
Dimming or blurring of vision
Weakness
Fatigue
Cognitive impairment
Nausea
Head or neck discomfort
Cold, clammy skin
Headache
Fainting
Call Your Doctor If:

You experience an increased frequency of symptoms of low blood pressure that are interfering with your lifestyle, that pose a risk for injury from falling, or that you suspect may be a side effect of prescription or nonprescription medication.

If blood pressure gets severely low, there's a significant danger that the body will not receive enough oxygen to carry out normal function. Decreased oxygen to the body can result in impaired functioning of the heart and brain and cause difficulty with breathing. In addition, someone with low blood pressure can lose consciousness or go into shock, where the organs shut down.

Thus, it is important to seek medical care immediately if you experience any signs of low blood pressure.

Answer 7

The sudden movement can cause a rapid change in blood pressure or a sudden shift in blood supply. It is highly advisable to get up slowly to avoid rapid changes in blood pressure if you seem susceptible to this problem.
This can also happen if your blood sugar is a little low and you are exercising extensively.

Answer 8

See a doctor about this. It is likely not a problem - just blood rush. But it could signify heart problems - an electrical block. This can be diagnosed via a treadmill test.

Answer 9

It can be caused by low blood pressure (hypotenstion), also if you are not eating enough and your blood sugar levels are low. Either way, it is NOT normal and if hypotension, can be very serious. You need to see your family physician.

Answer 10

You need to go to the eye doctor and have this checked out. Get professional help as anyone answering your question on line is not a professional and just giving their opinion. However, sounds like a circulation problem to me.