Diseases & Conditions
Why do I feel dizzy after a meal?
Ask the doctors
Q. Sometimes I feel lightheaded or dizzy after I eat. Why might this happen?
A. You're probably experiencing a fairly common condition called postprandial hypotension, or low blood pressure after eating. Estimated to affect up to one-third of older adults, this form of low blood pressure happens when blood flow is diverted away from body areas that include the heart and brain and instead gets routed to the stomach and intestines during digestion.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
About the Authors
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor at Large, Harvard Women's Health Watch
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.