Dizziness after standing results from a drop in blood pressure, but it could also be a more serious condition known as delayed orthostatic hypotension. Whether you got up too quickly from a seated or lying position, from time to time it seems that motion can cause dizziness.
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a condition categorized by low blood pressure when you stand up. It may be accompanied by feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness. OH is often minor, lasting for a few seconds or minutes, but long lasting OH can be a sign of a more serious problem.
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Recent findings suggest that dizziness after three minutes of standing can lead to delayed orthostatic hypotension which is a serious condition that requires attention.
Details about the study
Orthostatic hypotension is fairly new; it was only introduced 20 years ago. OH is a drop in blood pressure after standing for a little as three minutes. Researchers from Harvard Medical School reviewed medical records of 165 people who completed nervous system testing – the average age was 59. Of the group 48 received a diagnosis of delayed orthostatic hypotension, 42 had orthostatic hypotension and 75 didn’t have either condition. All patients were followed for 10 years.
After the 10 year follow-up, 54 percent who were originally diagnosed with delayed OH progressed to orthostatic hypotension, and 31 percent developed a brain disease like Parkinson’s disease or dementia.
The death rate for those with delayed OH was 29 percent and 64 percent in those with OH. Those without either condition had a death rate of nine percent. Half of those with delayed OH that progressed to OH died.
The study authors wrote, “These data suggest that delayed orthostatic hypotension is an earlier, milder form of orthostatic hypotension that, with time, will progress to orthostatic hypotension in more than half of the patients and carries a similar poor prognosis.” Early diagnosis is essential to prolong individual lives.
Other factors that can lead to orthostatic hypotension
The primary cause of orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure when moving into an upright position. When we stand gravity causes pooling of blood within our legs, which takes away blood from our heart. Spinal cells typically sense this change, so they send a signal to the brain to increase the heart rate and boost circulation.
In the case of OH, there is an interruption in this signal, so the body does not counteract the low blood pressure. Other causes of orthostatic hypotension are:
- Dehydration
- Heart problems
- Endocrine problems
- Nervous system disorders
- Post-meal
Self help for orthostatic hypotension
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Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension include dizziness, blurred vision, lightheadedness, mental confusion, nausea, muscle tremors and fainting. This can be a dangerous condition because it can increase a person’s risk of injury. This can be even worse if a senior is living alone and the dizziness or blurry vision leads to injury.
There are things you can do to self-help the condition, here are a few suggestions.
- Prop your head up with pillows while in bed.
- Get up slowly when in a seated or lying down position.
- Wear support stockings to minimize pooling of blood in legs.
- Eat small, frequent meals to reduce spikes and drops in blood pressure.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Drink small, but regular doses of caffeine.
- Avoid vigorous exercise, hot baths, saunas and anywhere with extreme heat.
- Avoid standing without moving for long periods of time.
- Avoid ascending quickly in high altitudes.
- Check your blood pressure regularly.
By following these tips you can better improve the symptoms associated with orthostatic hypotension. The new findings suggest that it can progress to a serious neurological disease, so don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor about your symptoms and frequency of symptoms.
