How dizzy spells could be early warning signal for dementia

DIZZY spells in middle age may be a sign of dementia 20 years before symptoms appear, research suggests.

People who feel light-headed when they stand up may be more likely to develop the disease than those who don’t, it was found.

The head rush is due to a drop in blood pressure, which may cause damage to the brain that raises the risk of dementia.

In the study of 11,500 people aged 45 to 64, those with this condition, known as orthostatic hypotension, were 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia.

Study leader Dr Andreea Rawlings, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US, said: ‘Even though these episodes are fleeting, they may have impacts that are long lasting. It’s a significant finding and we need to better understand just what is happening.’

The team, who presented the study at the American Heart Association’s Lifestyle Scientific Sessions in Oregon, performed blood pressure tests to find out which participants had orthostatic hypotension. About 6 per cent tested positive and were then tracked over the next 20 years.

They were found to be 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those who tested negative. Tests showed they had a 15 per cent higher rate of cognitive decline.

The researchers said it was not possible to say for certain whether the blood pressure drop was directly linked to dementia. Dr Rawlings said more research was needed but the findings could lead to ‘possible strategies for prevention and intervention’.

Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘It is not necessarily a cause for concern but people who frequently experience these symptoms should seek advice from their GP.’