Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Normal?Can It Make You Tired?TreatmentWhen to See a ProviderPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Normal?
Can It Make You Tired?
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Excessive daytime sleepiness or tiredness can be a symptom ofhigh blood pressure, and it has been shown to be a potential warning sign for cardiac events.However, it could be related to other contributing factors, like other health conditions. High blood pressure can also be linked to tiredness in other ways, such as sleep disturbances.
This article will discuss the association between high blood pressure and feeling tired. You will also learn when you should see a healthcare provider for these symptoms and how you can reduce your risk of high blood pressure and related fatigue.
Verywell / Dennis Madamba
What Is Normal Blood Pressure?
Ablood pressurereading involves two numbers:Systolicblood pressure (the top number) measures the pressure when the heart pushes blood out into the arteries.Diastolicblood pressure (the bottom number) is the measure of pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.
Systolic vs. Diastolic Blood Pressure
Does High Blood Pressure Make You Tired?
Some people with high blood pressure have fatigue that might be related to the condition itself or other causes. If left untreated, the high pressure against blood vessel walls can cause damage and lead to severe health problems, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease.
If you have high blood pressure and are feeling tired, it’s more often due to other contributing factors.
Lifestyle
Blood Pressure Medication Side Effects
Stress
Stresscauses hormone changes that are known to raise blood pressure. If stress is ongoing (chronic), it can contribute to the development of high blood pressure or worsen existing high blood pressure. It also can take a toll on your health in other ways that can contribute to feelings of tiredness.
For instance, the American Psychological Association (APA) reports that chronic stress can disrupt sleep patterns, trigger hormone imbalances, and change brain chemistry—all changes that can lead to fatigue.
Sleep Disturbances
Sleep apneais a condition that causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly while they are asleep. About 26% of American adults between the ages of 30 and 70 have sleep apnea.Sleep apnea has been shown toincrease the risk of high blood pressureand heart disease, as well as cause daytime sleepiness or tiredness.
The relationship between sleep apnea and high blood pressure is not fully understood, but it’s thought that the condition might activate the body’s stress response system, which raises blood pressure. If you have sleep apnea, treating it with a CPAP machine you wear while you sleep may also help manage your blood pressure.
Other sleep problems such asinsomniaare also linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure.
What Causes High Blood Pressure (HBP)?
Chronic Health Conditions
High blood pressure and fatigue (together or on their own) can also be related to a chronic medical condition. If you already know you have it, you may find that managing the condition helps with these symptoms. If you haven’t been diagnosed but have these symptoms, your provider might want to see if you have one of these (or other) conditions.
A few common conditions that can cause blood pressure changes and/or feeling tired include:
Essential HypertensionSome people have high blood pressure and the cause is not known. Providers call this “essential hypertension” and it often runs in families. Even though the exact cause is not known, making lifestyle changes and taking medication (if needed) can usually treat the condition.
Essential Hypertension
Some people have high blood pressure and the cause is not known. Providers call this “essential hypertension” and it often runs in families. Even though the exact cause is not known, making lifestyle changes and taking medication (if needed) can usually treat the condition.
Complications of Untreated High Blood Pressure
If high blood pressure is not diagnosed or controlled, the pressure against blood vessel walls can cause damage. Tiredness can be an early symptom of the damage, which can also lead to severe health problems like:
How to Treat High Blood Pressure
The first step to treating high blood pressure is figuring out the cause. Sometimes, there are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure that need to be addressed.
Can Blood Pressure Medication Make Me Tired?
If you receive ahigh blood pressure diagnosis, healthcare providers will likely prescribe medications to help manage your condition. They also may encourage healthy lifestyle changes.
Reasons for Fatigue and Constant Tiredness
High blood pressure is known as “the silent killer” because many people do not know that they have the condition because they have no symptoms.
The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly during your routine healthcare appointments. If you have a family history of high blood pressure or are at higher risk, you may want to use an at-home blood pressure monitor or tracking device.
If you are feeling consistent tiredness or fatigue that you think could be related to high blood pressure or your medication, talk to your healthcare provider.
Seek immediate medical attention if the tiredness is getting worse or you are also having other physical symptoms, including:
The 6 Best Blood Pressure Monitors to Use At Home, Tested and Reviewed
There are a number of lifestyle strategies that are known to prevent high blood pressure, including the following:
It’s important to contact your provider before making any significant dietary or exercise changes. They can advise you on safety based on your circumstances and help you make a plan that is right for you.
Summary
High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms, though some people may feel fatigued. Tiredness is more likely to be a side effect of blood pressure-lowering medications, and other health conditions linked to high blood pressure, such as stress or sleep apnea. Complications of high blood pressure, including heart disease, can also make you feel tired.
If you’re feeling fatigued and think it could be related to your blood pressure, let your provider know. They can check your blood pressure and recommend treatments to help make sure it stays at a healthy level.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you are experiencing tiredness as a side effect of blood pressure medication, talk with your healthcare provider. They may be able to change your medication, change the dose of your medication, or offer advice on timing your medication to reduce fatigue.There are no physical symptoms or warning signs of high blood pressure. That’s why this condition is known as the silent killer. Tiredness can be a side effect of some blood pressure medications or a symptoms of other health conditions related to high blood pressure, including stress and sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing tiredness as a side effect of blood pressure medication, talk with your healthcare provider. They may be able to change your medication, change the dose of your medication, or offer advice on timing your medication to reduce fatigue.
There are no physical symptoms or warning signs of high blood pressure. That’s why this condition is known as the silent killer. Tiredness can be a side effect of some blood pressure medications or a symptoms of other health conditions related to high blood pressure, including stress and sleep apnea.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Li J, Covassin N, Bock JM, et al.Excessive daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular mortality in US adults: a NHANES 2005-2008 follow-up study.Nat Sci Sleep. 2021;13:1049-1059. doi:10.2147/NSS.S319675National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.High blood pressure.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure (hypertension).World Health Organization.Hypertension.American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.Gonzaga C, Bertolami A, Bertolami M, Amodeo C, Calhoun D.Obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.J Hum Hypertens. 2015;29(12):705-712. doi:10.1038/jhh.2015.15Han B, Chen WZ, Li YC, Chen J, Zeng ZQ.Sleep and hypertension.Sleep Breath. 2020;24(1):351-356. doi:10.1007/s11325-019-01907-2NHS.High blood pressure.BMJ Best Practice.Essential hypertension - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure.MedlinePlus.High blood pressure medicine.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing high blood pressure.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Li J, Covassin N, Bock JM, et al.Excessive daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular mortality in US adults: a NHANES 2005-2008 follow-up study.Nat Sci Sleep. 2021;13:1049-1059. doi:10.2147/NSS.S319675National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.High blood pressure.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure (hypertension).World Health Organization.Hypertension.American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.Gonzaga C, Bertolami A, Bertolami M, Amodeo C, Calhoun D.Obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.J Hum Hypertens. 2015;29(12):705-712. doi:10.1038/jhh.2015.15Han B, Chen WZ, Li YC, Chen J, Zeng ZQ.Sleep and hypertension.Sleep Breath. 2020;24(1):351-356. doi:10.1007/s11325-019-01907-2NHS.High blood pressure.BMJ Best Practice.Essential hypertension - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure.MedlinePlus.High blood pressure medicine.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing high blood pressure.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Li J, Covassin N, Bock JM, et al.Excessive daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular mortality in US adults: a NHANES 2005-2008 follow-up study.Nat Sci Sleep. 2021;13:1049-1059. doi:10.2147/NSS.S319675National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.High blood pressure.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure (hypertension).World Health Organization.Hypertension.American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.Gonzaga C, Bertolami A, Bertolami M, Amodeo C, Calhoun D.Obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.J Hum Hypertens. 2015;29(12):705-712. doi:10.1038/jhh.2015.15Han B, Chen WZ, Li YC, Chen J, Zeng ZQ.Sleep and hypertension.Sleep Breath. 2020;24(1):351-356. doi:10.1007/s11325-019-01907-2NHS.High blood pressure.BMJ Best Practice.Essential hypertension - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure.MedlinePlus.High blood pressure medicine.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing high blood pressure.
Li J, Covassin N, Bock JM, et al.Excessive daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular mortality in US adults: a NHANES 2005-2008 follow-up study.Nat Sci Sleep. 2021;13:1049-1059. doi:10.2147/NSS.S319675
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.High blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure (hypertension).
World Health Organization.Hypertension.
American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.
Gonzaga C, Bertolami A, Bertolami M, Amodeo C, Calhoun D.Obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.J Hum Hypertens. 2015;29(12):705-712. doi:10.1038/jhh.2015.15
Han B, Chen WZ, Li YC, Chen J, Zeng ZQ.Sleep and hypertension.Sleep Breath. 2020;24(1):351-356. doi:10.1007/s11325-019-01907-2
NHS.High blood pressure.
BMJ Best Practice.Essential hypertension - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure.
MedlinePlus.High blood pressure medicine.
Centers for Disease Control.Preventing high blood pressure.
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