Why do I get dizzy when I stand up?

When you stand, gravity pulls blood down towards your legs, and your body normally tightens blood vessels and speeds up your heart within seconds to keep blood flowing to the brain. If that response is slow, your blood pressure dips briefly and you feel lightheaded. The NHS calls this postural hypotension. It's more likely if you're dehydrated, hot, older, have been lying down a long time, or take certain medicines.

Is dizziness when standing up serious?

Usually not, if it lasts a few seconds and passes when you stay still or sit down. It's worth seeing a doctor if it happens often, you've fallen or nearly fainted, or it started after a new medicine. Call 911 if dizziness comes with fainting and chest pain or palpitations, stroke signs such as face drooping or arm weakness, or signs of bleeding such as black stools or vomiting blood.

Can dehydration make you dizzy when you stand?

Yes. When you're low on fluids your blood volume drops, so your blood pressure can fall more when you stand up. The NHS lists feeling dizzy or lightheaded among the signs of dehydration, along with thirst, dark strong-smelling urine and tiredness. Hot weather, exercise, vomiting, diarrhoea and long fasting days make it more likely. Sip fluids regularly, and get help if you can't keep fluids down.

What should I do when I feel dizzy after standing up?

Sit or lie down straight away so you don't fall, ideally with your legs raised. Wait until it passes fully before getting up again, and then stand up slowly, sitting on the edge of the bed for a moment first. Drink some water. If you fainted, hit your head, or the dizziness doesn't go away, get medical help.

Can vaping or nicotine make me dizzy when I stand up?

Nicotine can cause dizziness on its own, especially with strong liquids or heavy use, and that can add to the lightheaded feeling when you stand. If you only get dizzy after vaping, see our guide on vaping and dizziness. Dizziness on standing that happens whether or not you've vaped has other causes worth checking with a doctor.

Can I walk in to Emergency Plus if I keep feeling dizzy?

Yes. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, west Amman has emergency doctors on site 24/7 and walk-in care with no appointment. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medicines, check your blood pressure lying and standing, examine you, and may request blood tests from the on-site laboratory. If someone faints with chest pain or shows stroke signs, call 911 instead of driving.

Dizzy When Standing Up: Is It Serious? When to Go to the ER

You get up from bed or the sofa and everything greys out for a moment, so you grab the wall. Lots of people get this, and it usually isn't serious. But dizziness that keeps happening, or ends in a faint or a fall, deserves attention. If you've actually passed out, start with fainted or feeling faint? when to go to the ER.

Why do you get dizzy when you stand up?

When you stand up suddenly, some of your blood shifts down towards your legs. Your body normally makes up for it within seconds by speeding up your heart and tightening your blood vessels. If that's slow, your blood pressure dips for a moment and less blood reaches your brain, so you feel lightheaded, your vision blurs or you feel weak. The NHS calls this postural hypotension and lists causes including:

Dehydration: from heat, exercise, vomiting, diarrhoea, not drinking enough, or fasting.
Some medicines: such as blood pressure tablets, water tablets and some antidepressants.
Getting older: the body's response is slower, and falls become more likely.
Lying or sitting for a long time: especially after illness or a long sleep.
Pregnancy, and some long-term conditions such as diabetes.
Anaemia: a low blood count makes dizziness and tiredness more common.

If dehydration is the likely cause, read when dehydration is an emergency. If you get dizzy after vaping, see can vaping cause dizziness or headaches? and our main guide to vaping warning signs.

What is most likely causing your dizziness?

What it may be	Typical signs	When it happens	What to do
Head rush on standing	Lightheaded, vision greys out briefly, settles within seconds	Standing up fast, especially after lying or sitting a long time	Stand up slowly. Fine at home
Dehydration or heat	Dizzy on standing, thirsty, dark urine, tired, headache	Hot days, exercise, vomiting or diarrhoea, fasting	Drink fluids, cool down. Doctor if not improving
Medicine side effect	Dizziness on standing that started after a new or changed medicine	Days to weeks after starting blood pressure, water or other tablets	Don't stop the medicine; speak to your doctor or pharmacist soon
Bleeding or a heart problem	Fainting, chest pain, palpitations, black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, very pale	New, sudden or getting worse	Call 911 or go to the ER now

Is dizziness when standing up an emergency?

Call 911 or go to the ER now if:

Fainting with chest pain, palpitations or shortness of breath.
Fainting during exercise, or while lying down.
Face drooping, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, slurred speech, or sudden loss of vision.
Vomiting blood, or black or bloody stools.
Very pale, cold and sweaty with dizziness that doesn't ease lying down.
A fall with a head injury, especially on blood thinners or over 65.
Vomiting or diarrhoea that won't stop and you can't keep fluids down.

See a doctor the same day or soon if:

You get dizzy on standing every day, or it's getting worse.
You've nearly fainted, or fallen without a serious injury.
It started after a new medicine or a dose change (don't stop the medicine yourself).
Dizziness with marked tiredness, paleness or breathlessness on exertion, which could be anaemia.

Usually fine at home if:

It lasts only seconds and passes when you stay still or sit down.
There's an obvious trigger, such as heat, not drinking enough, or getting up quickly.
You have none of the red-flag signs above.

How can you stop getting dizzy when you stand up?

Get up in stages: sit on the edge of the bed for a moment, then stand slowly.
Drink fluids regularly through the day, more in hot weather and after exercise, and between iftar and suhoor in Ramadan.
Move or tense your leg muscles before you stand.
Avoid standing for long periods in the heat, and very hot showers.
Sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness rather than trying to push through it standing.

What happens when you come to Emergency Plus?

At the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, emergency doctors are on site 24/7 and you can walk in without an appointment. The doctor will ask when the dizziness happens and about your medicines, check your blood pressure and pulse lying and standing, examine you, and may request blood tests from the on-site laboratory. The team will explain the right next step for you.

Dizziness that won't go away or keeps coming back?

For fainting with chest pain, stroke signs or bleeding, call 911 and don't drive yourself. If symptoms are milder but not settling, the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 with no appointment, with an Arabic and English speaking team.

Call our 24/7 ER: +962 79 247 1313

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Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.