Seeing Stars After Exercise? What to Know and Do

Hitting the gym or heading outdoors for a jog can trigger all sorts of physical responses that boost your health and make you feel fabulous. However, seeing stars during a workout or immediately after you finish is a response to exercise you should not ignore.

Why You’re Seeing Stars While Working Out

“Seeing stars while working out or after exercise is a common phenomenon,” says Douglas P. Jeffrey, MD, a family medicine specialist in Eugene, Oregon. The stars you see are called phosphenes, which he says are usually due to a temporary problem with low blood pressure following exercise.

At times, Dr. Jeffrey says, seeing stars or spots may also be due to low blood sugar or decreased oxygen level to the eye cells. His advice: “Rest, move slowly, and sit until the spots resolve.”

Also, if you’re not hydrated, get something to drink, preferably a drink with electrolytes. And if you skipped your pre-workout snack or meal, now’s the time to fuel up with some protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

Most often, seeing stars while working out can be attributed to a shifting of blood away from the brain, according to Purvi Parwani, MD, director of the Women’s Heart Clinic at the Loma Linda University International Heart Institute in Loma Linda, California. “In a patient with high blood pressure, any increases in blood pressure can lead to such symptoms,” she says.

Also, if you experience any type of trauma during exercise, particularly a concussion, the impact can cause you to see spots after exercise, Dr. Parwani says.

Other Potential Causes of Shimmering Vision After Exercise

Also described as spots, sparkles, or flashes of light, these “stars” you’re seeing could be a red flag that something more serious, but not as obvious, is going on.

Uveitis can cause you to see spots or floaters. Several inflammatory diseases that impact eye tissue can cause it. Some of the diseases associated with uveitis include arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis.

Problems can also occur if you have low blood pressure, called hypotension. One condition under the umbrella of hypotension is orthostatic hypotension. It involves a sudden fall in blood pressure that happens when you stand up.

When to Seek Medical Care

While seeing an occasional star or spot during or after physical activity is not generally cause for concern, Parwani says that deciding when to seek medical care depends on what other health problems you might have.

For instance, “if you have high or low blood pressure, or diabetes, and the spots or stars are related to those conditions, you should seek medical attention,” Parwani says.

Parwani also stresses the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if you experience trauma during exercise that results in seeing spots in front of your eyes. This can occur from a blow to the head, resulting in a concussion.

Finally, Jeffrey says that if the phosphenes or dizziness do not disappear within minutes of sitting, resting, or lying down, it’s wise to seek medical attention. And if seeing phosphenes is a regular occurrence, whether exercising or not, consult your physician ASAP.

The Takeaway

• Seeing stars during exercise is usually due to a temporary problem with low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or decreased oxygen levels to the eye cells post-workout.
• Medical conditions like inflammatory conditions, hypotension, or other eye issues may also cause these stars or spots in your vision.
• While seeing an occasional star or spot during or after physical activity is not generally cause for concern, talk with your doctor if the issue is ongoing.