High blood pressure itself may not directly make a person feel tired, but it can cause fatigue indirectly through various serious complications. These include coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, an enlarged heart, heart failure, kidney damage, and pulmonary hypertension, all of which can lead to feelings of tiredness. Additionally, high blood pressure is linked to poor sleep quality and sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, which can also cause fatigue. Some medications used to treat high blood pressure may have tiredness as a side effect. Therefore, feeling tired can be related to high blood pressure, especially if it has caused or worsened these associated conditions.
How High Blood Pressure Causes Fatigue
- The heart works harder due to high blood pressure, which can enlarge the heart and reduce its efficiency, leading to tiredness.
- Narrowed or damaged arteries reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, causing fatigue.
- Kidney damage from high blood pressure impairs filtering of blood, contributing to tiredness.
- Pulmonary hypertension affects lung blood vessels, leading to fatigue and shortness of breath.
Role of Sleep and Medication
- Poor sleep, including sleep apnea, can worsen both blood pressure and fatigue.
- Some blood pressure medications (e.g., beta-blockers) list fatigue as a potential side effect.
If unusual tiredness is experienced frequently alongside high blood pressure, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and management.
