Does getting out of bed or standing up quickly ever make your head spin? Although most of us ignore these temporary episodes of dizziness or lightheadedness, they may have long-term adverse effects.

Recent finding: In a 20-year study of nearly 12,000 middle-aged adults, researchers found that people who experience dizziness upon standing (due to temporary drops in blood pressure) were more likely to develop dementia than those who didn’t suffer these episodes.

Background: In an effort to better understand risk factors for cognitive decline later in life, researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health looked at data from middle-aged adults with no history of coronary heart disease or stroke. They recorded the participants’ blood pressure upon standing after 20 minutes of lying down and then followed the participants for 20 years or more.

The findings: Roughly 6% of those in the study were found to have orthostatic hypotension–defined as a drop of at least 20 mmHg in systolic (top number) or at least 10 mmHg in diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure within three minutes of standing from a sitting or reclining position. As the years progressed, this group was 40% more likely to develop dementia than those who did not have orthostatic hypotension. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s EPI|LIFESTYLE 2017 Scientific Sessions in March 2017.

Possible explanation: Researchers theorize that those fleeting dizzy spells may cause lasting damage, possibly by reducing blood flow to the brain. More research is needed to fully understand the causes and effects. However, it is also possible that the temporary dizziness is an indication of an underlying condition, such as dehydration or anemia, or is the result of taking certain medications. Some of these include diuretics, such a furosemide (Lasix)…beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal)…and antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac).

Bottom line: Even though researchers aren’t sure why temporary episodes of dizziness or lightheadedness may be linked to increased dementia risk, it’s important to tell your doctor about any such episodes you may experience. He/she will want to know what medications you are taking and assess whether you should be drinking more fluids. If you also have diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension), it may be particularly important to make sure these conditions are well-controlled, since these factors are also associated with an increased risk for dementia.

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