The main connection between hypertension and dizziness is that uncontrolled high blood pressure can eventually lead to dizzy spells along with various other symptoms. There may also be a less prominent link in that some conditions which cause high blood pressure or which high blood pressure contributes to, may also cause dizziness. These can include heart disease, stroke, and the use of certain medications.
In most cases hypertension and dizziness do not occur together unless there is an underlying health condition. While hypertension can eventually lead to dizziness, this is usually the end result of years of high blood pressure and lack of treatment. In its early stages, or when properly controlled, high blood pressure generally has no symptoms and many people do not even realize they have it.
There are some medical conditions which may occur with hypertension and dizziness. Heart problems, for instance, are often caused by high blood pressure and they may also lead to dizzy spells. Certain high blood pressure medications may also lead to dizziness and other side effects. Patients who experience severe or chronic dizziness while taking hypertension medication or any other medication should contact a health care provider.
When hypertension and dizziness do occur together, this generally indicates a serious rise in blood pressure and may be considered a medical emergency. Very high uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, shock, and death. Symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Medical intervention is needed to quickly lower blood pressure to stable levels and to correct or stop any serious effects, such as heart attack.
Hypertension can be prevented or treated by eating foods low in sodium and by visiting a doctor for annual checkups to ensure that blood pressure is normal. This is generally found during a routine visit and can be successfully treated with medication. Slight spikes in blood pressure are often not a sign of true hypertension and can be caused by stress, fear, or anxiety. If patients exhibit only mild high blood pressure, it may be due to this reason and should be monitored regularly.
If dizziness occurs regularly and for no known reason, an underlying medical condition other than hypertension may be to blame. There are a variety of illnesses and conditions which may result in mild to severe dizziness. Often, it is something as simple as not eating enough and having low blood sugar. Other times a more serious medical issue may be to blame. Any symptoms lasting longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.