Dizziness on Standing May Be a Risk Factor for Dementia

A study published in Neurology found orthostatic hypotension may be a risk factor for stroke and dementia in later years, reports the New York Times . Orthostatic hypotension is triggered by a sharp drop in blood pressure when rising from a supine position. The researchers collected data on 11,709 middle-aged people, average age 54, without a history of coronary heart disease or stroke. A total of 552 had orthostatic hypotension, and there were 1,068 cases of dementia and 842 of stroke over the next 25 years. People with orthostatic hypotension were estimated to have a 54 percent higher risk of dementia and more than twice the risk of stroke. Johns Hopkins University Professor Rebecca F. Gottesman says this sensation may be a marker of vascular disease. She notes experiencing this feeling on a regular basis should prompt a visit to the doctor. "This will give you and your doctor an opportunity to review your vascular risk factors and make sure they are under control," Gottesman says.