In a new study released last month and published in the Harvard medical school journal, the scientists explain that while faintness and light-headedness after standing can be due to a sudden drop of blood pressure caused by dehydration of medication, when this occurs more often and at least three minutes after standing up, it could be a tell-tale sign that you have an increased risk of early death, dementia or Parkinson’s disease (a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors, and affects more than three million people yearly and cannot be cured).

BRAIN DISEASES

The scientists, who had a sample figure of 165 people with an average of 59 years who were followed for 10 years, established that, although the findings cut across board, those suffering from delayed orthostatic hypotension — excessive fall in blood pressure shown by signs of obvious dizziness, within minutes of a drop in blood pressure — had higher death rates, and also, noted the study, increased rates of degenerative brain diseases.

According to the study, 29 per cent of those with delayed orthostatic hypotension will die in the next decade, while nine per cent of those without will also die within the same period. Consequently, reports the study, their rates of degenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease and dementia, among others) also varies at 31 per cent and eight per cent, respectively.

Also, noted the study, 54 per cent of those who feel dizzy after standing up progressed to a more serious form of a degenerative disease, and this further increased the risks to early death.

Commenting on the study, Dr Christopher Gibbons, the study author from Harvard Medical School in the US, said: “Our findings may lead to earlier recognition, diagnosis and treatments of this condition and possibly other underlying diseases that may contribute to early death.”