Why do I feel dizzy on heart medication and what can I do to stop it?

Chloe MacArthur says:

Occasional dizziness can be a part of living with a heart condition, and can be caused by different things, including medication. Many of the drugs used to treat heart disease are designed to lower blood pressure or heart rate, in order to reduce the workload of the heart. Although most people take these medications with no problems, they can make some people feel lightheaded or dizzy. There may be things to try that could help you improve or avoid this.

If you are new to this kind of medication, you may find that in time your body becomes used to the new drug. Try to give it at least two or three weeks, but if you are noticing that you are not improving or feeling worse, let your doctor know so that they can review your starting dose.

Make sure that you eat and drink enough, especially when it’s hot, as you can feel more dizzy if you are dehydrated or haven’t eaten. If you have been given a fluid restriction by your doctor or nurse, make sure that you have a discussion with them about your dizziness and how much you can drink throughout the day.

If you get dizzy when standing up from a chair or getting out of bed, doing it more slowly gives your blood pressure time to adjust and can help to reduce dizziness. It may help to move your legs a little before you stand up.

Finding a medication that suits you can take time, which can feel frustrating, but most people do eventually find one that works well for them. If you are noticing that your dizziness is not improving or has been getting worse, discuss it with your doctor or nurse. They can review your medication, the dose and the time you take it, which may help you feel better.

Meet the expert

Chloe MacArthur is a Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation.

Can I get help with paying my prescription?

Medical prescriptions are free in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They are also free for people in England who meet certain criteria, including people who are:

under 16 or over 60
receiving Income Support, JSA, ESA or Universal Credit
pregnant
16-18 and in full-time education
and/or have certain health conditions, including a continuing disability or diabetes that can't be controlled with diet.

If you aren’t entitled to free prescriptions for your medicines you might be able to save money by buying a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC).

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