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Does High Blood Pressure Make You Tired? Tablets, Causes and When to Worry (UK)

High blood pressure doesn’t usually make you tired. The NHS says it does not usually cause any symptoms, so many people don’t know they have it.

Doctor checking a woman's blood pressure with a cuff and stethoscope

Last updated: 10 November 2026

High blood pressure doesn’t usually make you tired. The NHS says it does not usually cause any symptoms, so many people don’t know they have it. Tiredness is more often from blood pressure medicines, such as beta blockers, amlodipine or losartan, or from something linked with it, such as sleep apnoea. Never stop a blood pressure medicine on your own.

If tiredness bothers you or doesn’t go away, speak to your GP or pharmacist. Checked against the NHS high blood pressure page and the NHS amlodipine, ramipril, losartan, indapamide and bisoprolol pages, plus a UK ramipril leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium, in November 2026.

Does high blood pressure make you tired?

Not usually on its own. The NHS says high blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms, and the only way to find out is to have it checked. Blood pressure is usually considered high at 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional, or 135/85 or higher when checked at home.

Untreated high blood pressure matters because it raises your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease over time, and some of those do cause tiredness. Get a check at a pharmacy or GP surgery if you’re 40 or over and haven’t had one in the last 5 years. For what the numbers mean, see normal blood pressure.

Can blood pressure tablets make you tired?

Yes, some can. Tiredness is a listed side effect of several common blood pressure medicines, and lowering your blood pressure can leave you dizzy or washed out at first, especially when you stand up quickly. Here is what the NHS pages and a UK leaflet list:

Medicine (type) Is tiredness a listed side effect?
Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) Yes: the NHS lists “feeling weak and tired (fatigue)” and “feeling sleepy” as common
Bisoprolol (beta blocker) Yes: the NHS lists “feeling tired (fatigue) and weak” as common
Losartan (angiotensin receptor blocker) Yes: the NHS lists dizziness and tiredness as common
Ramipril (ACE inhibitor) The UK leaflet lists “headache or feeling tired” as common (up to 1 in 10); the NHS common list gives dizziness but not tiredness
Indapamide (thiazide-like diuretic) Not in the NHS common list, but low potassium, a less common side effect, can cause tiredness

Each brand’s leaflet can word side effects slightly differently, so check the one in your box. For beta blockers such as bisoprolol, atenolol and propranolol, see do beta blockers make you tired?

Why blood pressure medicines can make you tired

Bringing your blood pressure down can take some getting used to. The NHS bisoprolol page notes that low blood pressure “can make you feel dizzy and tired”, and the ramipril leaflet says dizziness is more likely when you start or move to a higher dose. Many side effects ease as your body adjusts. If you feel dizzy or tired on losartan, the NHS advises waiting until these have gone before you drive or use machinery.

If you take a statin as well, that can add to it: see do statins make you tired? If you feel faint or light-headed a lot, your blood pressure may now be on the low side: see low blood pressure.

What else causes tiredness with high blood pressure?

  • Sleep apnoea. Breathing that stops and starts at night leaves you very tired in the day, and the NHS says that without treatment it can lead to high blood pressure. Loud snoring and gasping are clues. See sleep apnoea.
  • Kidney disease. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to kidney disease. The NHS says kidney disease does not tend to cause symptoms at an early stage, but tiredness is one of the later symptoms.
  • Heart failure. The NHS says it can develop from long-term strain on the heart from high blood pressure, and lists feeling weak, light-headed or very tired, particularly after moving, as a symptom.
  • Type 2 diabetes and weight. Both often sit alongside high blood pressure, and both are linked with tiredness. See does diabetes make you tired?
  • High cholesterol. Often found at the same check, but it doesn’t usually cause symptoms either. See does high cholesterol make you tired?
  • Stress, anxiety and alcohol. The NHS lists long-term stress and drinking too much alcohol as risk factors for high blood pressure, and both disturb sleep. See anxiety symptoms, stress symptoms and alcohol and sleep.

Low iron, low vitamin B12 and an underactive thyroid are other common causes to rule out. For the bigger picture, see why am I always tired?

What are the symptoms of very high blood pressure?

Most people still feel nothing. The NHS says that rarely, high blood pressure can cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision and chest pain. Get help from NHS 111 if you often get headaches or blurred vision, or have chest pain that comes and goes. Call 999 for sudden chest pain that doesn’t go away, or chest pain that spreads or comes with sweating or breathlessness.

Tiredness on its own is not a sign that your blood pressure is dangerously high. If you check at home, follow your GP’s plan for what to do with a high reading. For headaches, see what your headache location can mean.

Should I stop my tablets if they make me tired?

No, not on your own. Blood Pressure UK says that if you stop taking blood pressure medicines, your blood pressure will quickly rise again. Speak to your GP or pharmacist instead: they can look at the dose, the time of day you take it, or a different medicine.

If you’ve just started a new medicine, you can ask a pharmacist about the New Medicine Service. You can also report side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

What helps tiredness with high blood pressure

  1. Talk to your GP or pharmacist if tiredness started with a new medicine or a dose change.
  2. Stand up slowly if you feel dizzy, especially in the morning.
  3. Ask for blood tests if it lasts: kidney function, blood sugar, iron, B12 and thyroid are common checks. See iron deficiency symptoms.
  4. Get snoring checked. Sleep apnoea is common and treatable.
  5. Follow the NHS lifestyle advice: less salt, at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, less caffeine and not smoking.
  6. Keep regular sleep times. See sleep hygiene and tired after 8 hours of sleep.

When to get urgent help

If you have What to do
Tiredness that bothers you or doesn’t go away on a blood pressure medicine Speak to your GP or pharmacist; keep taking it
You’re 40 or over and haven’t had a check for 5 years Get a check at a pharmacy or GP surgery
Frequent headaches or blurred vision, or chest pain that comes and goes Get help from NHS 111
Sudden chest pain that doesn’t go away, or chest pain spreading to your arm, neck, jaw, stomach or back Call 999; don’t drive yourself to A&E
Chest pain with sweating, feeling sick, light-headedness or breathlessness Call 999

Supplements with blood pressure medicines: check first

No supplement treats high blood pressure or replaces your tablets. The NHS ramipril page says there’s very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with ramipril, and lists potassium among the medicines that interact with it, so ask your GP or pharmacist before adding anything. Evopure doesn’t sell blood pressure medicines.

CBD: we don’t suggest CBD alongside blood pressure medicines without advice. The FSA advises people taking any medication not to take CBD unless under medical direction. See can CBD interact with medication?

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Our Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex isn’t suggested here: its pack says it isn’t for people on medication. For how much magnesium adults need, see how much magnesium per day.

If you take any regular medicines, check with your GP or pharmacist first. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. For adults (18+) only.

Next step

Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex

If your GP or pharmacist is happy, add the Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex to your evening routine: 290mg of magnesium (77% NRV) per 4.75g berry drink. Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Add Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex to bag See ingredients and reviews

Subscribe and save 25% on your first order, then 20%. New to Evopure? Join our emails for 20% off a one-off first order. Free UK delivery over £45. If you take any regular medicines, check with your GP or pharmacist first. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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Sources 8

  1. NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension) (reviewed 19 July 2024) and Blood pressure test.
  2. NHS. Amlodipine, bisoprolol, losartan, ramipril and indapamide.
  3. Wockhardt UK. Ramipril 2.5mg Hard Capsules patient information leaflet, electronic medicines compendium.
  4. NHS. Taking ramipril with other medicines and herbal supplements.
  5. Blood Pressure UK. Medications for high blood pressure.
  6. NHS. Sleep apnoea, Chronic kidney disease symptoms and Heart failure.
  7. MHRA. Yellow Card scheme.
  8. FSA (gov.uk). Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your prescriber and the leaflet that comes with your medicine. Evopure makes the Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex and doesn’t make or sell blood pressure medicines.

Written by

Co-founder, Evopure

Martin co-founded Evopure and writes about sleep, stress and recovery. Our articles are general information, not medical advice.

Questions, answered

Not usually. The NHS says high blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms. Tiredness is more often from blood pressure medicines or from something linked with it, such as sleep apnoea, kidney disease or heart failure. Speak to your GP if you're tired for a few weeks.

Not on its own. Most people with high blood pressure feel nothing, which is why the NHS advises a check at least every 5 years from age 40. Rarely, it can cause headaches, blurred vision or chest pain.

The NHS lists tiredness as a common side effect of amlodipine, bisoprolol and other beta blockers, and losartan. A UK ramipril leaflet lists feeling tired as common too. Check the leaflet in your box and speak to your pharmacist if it bothers you.

It can. The NHS lists feeling weak and tired (fatigue), feeling sleepy and dizziness among the common side effects of amlodipine. Keep taking it and speak to your GP or pharmacist if it doesn't ease.

High blood pressure itself rarely causes symptoms. Dizziness and tiredness are more often side effects of the tablets, especially when you start or the dose goes up, or a sign that your blood pressure has dropped too low. Tell your GP.

No, not on your own. Blood Pressure UK says your blood pressure will quickly rise again if you stop. Your GP can change the dose, the timing or the medicine.

Speak to your GP or pharmacist first. The FSA advises people taking any medication not to take CBD unless under medical direction.

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