Dizziness When Standing, Signs of Heart Problems

A recent research indicates, someone who is experiencing headaches or dizziness when standing due to blood pressure drops suddenly, have a greater risk of heart failure. In medical terms this condition is commonly known as orthostatic hypotension.

Research indicates that those who have the risk of orthostatic hypotension 54 percent more likely to develop heart failure than their peers who do not have low blood pressure when standing. While in people with hypertension risk is likely to be reduced to 34 percent.

"Some risk factors can increase a person's risk for developing heart failure, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, diabetes and orthostatic hypotension," explained researcher, Dr Christine Jones DeLong of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Heart failure is a condition where the amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute is not able to meet the normal needs of the body. U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute noted that nearly 5.7 million people in the United States have heart failure, and about 300,000 people die each year.

Investigators said he did not know exactly how the orthostatic hypotension can lead to heart failure. "We speculate that orthostatic hypotension and high blood pressure can lead to heart failure risk by the same route, such as when hypertension occurs when the person is asleep," he added.

In the latest study, the researchers enrolled more than 12,000 participants (aged 45-64 years) from four regions in the U.S.. Nearly 11 percent of people who develop heart failure for about 17.5-year study period were found to have orthostatic hypotension at baseline. While those who do not have orthostatic hypotension only 4 percent who develop heart failure.

The relationship between orthostatic hypotension and congestive heart pins among people aged 45-55 years. The findings published in the March 19, 2012 in Hypertension.

Researchers say people with orthostatic hypotension who also have hypertension should take steps to control blood pressure, heart conditions and ensure they are in good health.

The scientists speculate, orthostatic hypotension may be an early indicator of the progression of atherosclerosis - the buildup of plaque in the arteries - caused by high blood pressure. However, this study does suggest that orthostatic hypotension as a cause of heart failure.

Meanwhile, Dr. Robert Myerburg, a professor of cardiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine said it was too early to conclude that orthostatic hypotension as a risk factor for heart failure.

"Orthostatic hypotension can lead to cause loss of consciousness that led to the crash, but this is not something that causes heart attacks," he said.

Myerburg also advised to consume more fluids, especially for people with orthostatic hypotension. "If it does not bother or do not cause significant symptoms, you do not need to treat it," he added.

On the other hand, Dr. Tara Narula, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City, said that finding anything that can help to diagnose early heart failure would be very useful.
"This is an interesting finding, and if it proved to be the cause orthostatic hypotension or lead to heart failure, we may be able to identify heart failure earlier than we can now."