Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects millions of people around the world. People often call it the “silent killer” because it doesn’t always show clear signs, but it can slowly hurt important organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain. A lot of people want to know if high blood pressure can make you tired.
Yes, high blood pressure can make you feel tired, worn out, and like you don’t have any energy. But the link between high blood pressure and tiredness isn’t always clear. We’ll talk about how high blood pressure can make you tired, what causes it, and how to deal with it in this article.
What does it mean to have high blood pressure?
When the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries stays too high all the time, you have high blood pressure. The systolic pressure is the higher number, and the diastolic pressure is the lower number. For example, 130/80 mmHg is the systolic pressure.
- The systolic pressure is the force that your heart beats with.
- When your heart is at rest between beats, diastolic pressure shows the force.
- The American Heart Association (AHA) says:
- Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.
- High: 120–129/<80 mmHg
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130–139/80–89 mmHg
- Stage 2 of high blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher.
High blood pressure for a long time puts stress on your arteries and organs, which can cause serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, or kidney damage.
Can having high blood pressure make you tired?
Yes, high blood pressure can make you tired, but the reasons for this can be different. The body may get tired because of the stress that comes with high blood pressure or because of the side effects of the drugs used to control it.
Here are some possible reasons:
1. Less oxygen getting to the body
When blood pressure is high, the heart has to work harder to push blood through arteries that are too small. This extra work can make you feel weak or tired over time because it can lower the amount of oxygen-rich blood that gets to your muscles and organs.
2. Too much work for the heart and not enough energy
The heart is a muscle that needs energy to work well. When blood pressure stays high for a long time, the heart has to work harder, which makes it tired. This can show up as fatigue, shortness of breath, or less stamina, especially when you exercise.
3. Side Effects of Medicines
Some blood pressure drugs, like beta-blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers, can make you tired as a side effect. These drugs lower your heart rate or the amount of fluid in your body, which can make you feel tired or sluggish at times.
4. High blood pressure makes it hard to sleep well
People with high blood pressure often have trouble sleeping, like sleep apnoea, which is when breathing stops and starts a lot during the night. This makes it hard to sleep well and makes you tired all day.
5. Stress and worry
High blood pressure can be caused by and caused by long-term stress. The body is always in a “fight or flight” state, which can make you tired and mentally drained over time.
6. Stress on the organs
High blood pressure can slowly hurt organs like the heart and kidneys, which are both very important for keeping energy levels stable. As these organs get weaker, the body has a harder time getting rid of waste and moving nutrients around, which makes you feel tired and weak all the time.
Other Signs of High Blood Pressure That Come with Fatigue
Some people may have high blood pressure without any obvious symptoms, but some people may have:
- Headaches that won’t go away
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain or tightness
- Seeing things that aren’t there
- Ankles or feet swelling
- Having trouble focussing
If you feel tired all the time and have these symptoms, you should see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
How to Deal with Tiredness from High Blood Pressure
Fatigue can be annoying, but there are ways to deal with it that work, like getting medical help, changing your lifestyle, and managing your stress.
1. Go over your medicines
Talk to your doctor if you started feeling tired after starting blood pressure medicine. Never stop taking your medicine all at once. Your doctor may change the dose or switch you to a different medicine that has fewer side effects.
2. Eat a healthy diet
The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) focusses on:
- Fruits and veggies
- Grains that are whole
- Lean proteins, such as chicken and fish
- Dairy with little fat
- Not a lot of sugar, salt, or saturated fat
This helps keep blood pressure in check and gives you more energy overall.
3. Drink a lot of water
Not drinking enough water can make you more tired. Drinking enough water helps keep blood volume up and circulation going, which puts less stress on the heart.
4. Get some exercise every day
Walking, biking, or swimming are all moderate forms of exercise that are good for your heart and give you more energy. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Exercise lowers stress and helps keep blood pressure in check naturally.
5. Take care of your stress
Do things that help you relax, like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Chronic stress can raise your blood pressure and make you tired.
6. Get Enough Sleep
For your heart and to get your energy back, you need sleep. Adults should try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. If you think you might have sleep apnoea, see a doctor for the right tests and treatment.
7. Cut back on alcohol and caffeine
Caffeine and alcohol can both raise blood pressure and make it hard to sleep, which can make you more tired. The key is moderation.
8. Keep an eye on your blood pressure often.
Your doctor can see how well your treatment is working by looking at your readings. Making changes early can help avoid problems and make you less tired.
When to Go to the Doctor
If you have any of the following, you should call your doctor:
- Extreme or long-lasting tiredness
- Pain in the chest or an irregular heartbeat
- Not being able to breathe
- Legs or ankles swelling
- Dizziness or confusion that you can’t explain
These signs could mean that high blood pressure is hurting your heart or other organs.
1. Can having high blood pressure make you very tired?
Yes. When blood pressure stays high for a long time, it puts a lot of stress on the heart and blood vessels. This cuts off oxygen flow to the body and makes you tired.
2. Does being tired mean my blood pressure is too high?
Not always, but being tired all the time could mean that your blood pressure isn’t well controlled or that you need to change your medication.
3. What can I do to stop feeling tired from taking blood pressure medicine?
If you want to change your medications, change the doses, or take them at different times of the day, talk to your doctor. Don’t change or stop taking your medicine on your own.
4. Is the tiredness that comes with high blood pressure permanent?
No. Most people get their energy back to normal once their blood pressure stabilises, as long as they get the right treatment, make lifestyle changes, and sleep better.
5. Can having low blood pressure also make you tired?
Yes. Fatigue can happen with both high and low blood pressure, but in different ways. Low blood pressure makes it harder for oxygen to get to the heart, and high blood pressure makes the heart work harder.
In conclusion
If you don’t take care of your high blood pressure, it can make you feel tired and drained. The tiredness could be because the body is trying to deal with more stress on the heart, side effects of medication, or conditions like sleep apnoea that are already there.
You can effectively manage hypertension and get your energy back by working closely with your doctor, living a healthy lifestyle, and checking your blood pressure on a regular basis.
Keep in mind that finding problems early and getting regular care are important for a healthy heart and a happy life.