Submitted by Dr T on April 25, 2013 – 10:10am
Question:
I noticed in the past 3 years I get shortness of breath and a dizziness feeling after repetitive bending down. It doesn’t happen until after I stop bending down. Where I work I have to been down every once in a while for long periods. I do have anxiety and panic attacks but didn’t know if this was causing this because ive had anxiety for about 11 years and this has never happened. I did get diagnosed with being anemic 2 and a half years ago but they have said im no longer anemic. So I was just wondering what can cause this because once it happens I feel bad for a long time after.
Hi Hilary,
Has anybody checked your blood pressure before and after bending down? If no longer anemic, your symptoms could be suggestive of Orthostatic Hypotension, a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down (in your case the other way around). If there is a sudden change in blood pressure, it usually includes palpitations, that may occasionally be associated with a condition called POTS. Other tests should include some blood tests, an EKG and an echocardiogram if your doctors suspect your heasrt function has changed. Whether your anxiety has anything to do with these symptoms I don’t know
Hope this helps,