Dizziness

Feeling dizzy is a term used to describe a number of sensations. Some describe the experience as feeling weak, woozy, unsteady, or off-balance. Dizziness can make you feel as though your body or your immediate surroundings are spinning, a condition called vertigo.

You may notice these symptoms growing worse when you stand, walk, or move your head suddenly. Episodes can last just a few seconds or for days at a time.

Dizziness can stem from many factors, which is why it’s important to seek a professional diagnosis for dizzy spells that are frequent or disruptive to your normal routines.

Heart failure

Heart failure, heart attack, or stroke can cause a sensation of light-headedness.

Certain medications

Some medications can cause dizziness, including those taken to lower your blood pressure. These medications can provoke a quick and significant drop in blood pressure, which leaves your brain without proper circulation.

Hypotension

This is the medical term for low blood pressure. You may have chronic low blood pressure, or the issue may only occur when your cardiovascular system doesn’t respond properly to sudden changes, like standing up.

Anemia

If you have iron-poor anemia, you may experience dizzy spells. Getting anemia under control is important to your overall heart health.

Regardless of the cause, there are treatments that can help.

In some cases, it may be as simple as reviewing your medications and finding a combination that lessens dizzy spells.

For example, if you’ve been taking the same blood pressure medication for some time, you may be able to lower the dose or stop taking the medication completely. Never alter your drug therapy without working with a physician, as stopping suddenly can cause serious side effects.

Lifestyle changes can also help reduce dizziness. Losing a few extra pounds, finding ways to squeeze more exercise into your day, or embracing some new heart-healthy cooking techniques can go a long way toward boosting overall health.