By Yvelette Stines 

 Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD

Excessive daytime sleepiness or tiredness can be a symptom of high 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.

What Is Normal Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure reading involves two numbers: Systolic blood pressure (the top number) measures the pressure when the heart pushes blood out into the arteries. Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is the measure of pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), normal blood pressure is 120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic, usually spoken as "120 over 80." High blood pressure is defined by the following stages:

Does High Blood Pressure Make You Tired?

It's possible for high blood pressure to make you tired, but it's not a reliable sign of the condition. High blood pressure typically causes no physical symptoms. The only way to know that you have high blood pressure is to have it measured by a healthcare provider. Some health-tracking devices can also tell you if your blood pressure is high.

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

Your blood pressure is influenced by your diet and hydration status, as well as other aspects of your lifestyle. For example:

• Not drinking enough water, drinking a lot of caffeinated beverages, and eating a high-salt diet can contribute to high blood pressure as well as tiredness.

• Having overweight or obesity is also linked to high blood pressure. Not being at a weight that supports your health can also make you feel tired and run down. 

• Being sedentary or not getting much exercise can also raise your blood pressure. If you’re not in physical shape, you may not have much stamina and might feel more tired even when you’re just doing your regular day-to-day activities. 

• Smoking, using alcohol, or other substance use can also affect your blood pressure and make it higher than normal. These substances can also make you feel tired.

Stress

Stress causes 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 apnea is 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 to increase the risk of high blood pressure and 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 as insomnia are also linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure.

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:

• Autoimmune conditions (e.g., type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis) 

• Chronic kidney disease

• Heart disease

• Thyroid conditions

• Mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety)

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:

• Stroke

• Kidney disease

• Eye damage

• Congestive heart failure

• Heart attack

• Aneurysm

• Vascular dementia

• Pregnancy complications

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.

Some people can lower their blood pressure by making lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising, and changing their diet (for example, cutting back on caffeine and salt). Other people need to take medication to help lower their blood pressure and keep it controlled.

Can Blood Pressure Medication Make Me Tired?

If you receive a high blood pressure diagnosis, healthcare providers will likely prescribe medications to help manage your condition. They also may encourage healthy lifestyle changes.

Tiredness is a common side effect associated with certain blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers. That's because some drugs work by causing the heart to beat slower, which slows the flow of energizing oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues.

When to See a Provider

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:

• Blood spots in the eyes

• Nosebleeds

• Dizziness

• Flushing

• Chest pain

Prevention

There are a number of lifestyle strategies that are known to prevent high blood pressure, including the following:

• Quit or avoid smoking

• Eat a nutritious diet (e.g., with plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)

• Reduce your sodium (salt) intake

• Manage your stress levels

• Get to and maintain a weight that supports your health

• Exercise regularly

• Limit alcohol and avoid recreational drugs

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. 

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By Yvelette Stines
Yvelette Stines, MS, MEd, is an author, writer, and communications specialist specializing in health and wellness.