Dementia: Dizziness on standing up may increase risk

Having vertigo while getting up could indicate a higher risk of dementia, or stroke, suggests a new study. These symptoms should not be underestimated.

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Orthostatic hypotension is called the drop in blood pressure that can occur when one suddenly changes position pbading from the supine position to the sitting or standing position. This is what causes vertigo at sunrise, symptoms a priori not serious, except the risk of falling.

But if we believe a new scientific study reported by the BBC, positional vertigo would not be so trivial that, to the extent that they may indicate an increased risk of dementia or stroke

Researchers at the American Academy of Neurology have followed 11,709 people aged 54 on average, on a around 25 years old. Participants underwent an initial examination to badess their level of orthostatic hypotension, and the researchers compared these data to the number of strokes and dementia rates observed in this sample.

Here are the main results:

• in total, of the 11,709 participants in the study, 1,068 (or 9.1%) developed dementia and 842 (7.1%) had ischemic stroke, where stroke is blocked of the brain, often due to a clot,
• of the 10,527 participants who did not have orthostatic hypotension at baseline, 9% developed dementia and 6.8% had a stroke
• Among the 552 participants who had orthostatic hypotension during the initial examination, 12.5% ​​developed dementia and 15.2% had a stroke, an over-risk of dementia. 3.5% and stroke of 8.4%!

Note that none of the participants had any antecedent heart disease or stroke

If the study should be considered with caution, since orthostatic hypotension was only measured at baseline, it suggests that positional vertigo due to blood pressure should be taken into account, not underestimated. The researchers speak of "potential" risk factor for dementia and stroke but not yet a proven risk factor. In case of doubt, a consultation with the doctor can be beneficial, especially since positional vertigo can in the long run complicate everyday life …

Source: BBC