If you suffer from dizziness or feel lightheaded when you stand up, it could mean you have an increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia.
A 24-year study of more than 6,000 people found that those who displayed these symptoms were 15% more likely to develop the disease than others.
The scientists said sudden drops in blood pressure associated with dizziness causes less blood to reach the brain when we stand up.
This could cause to brain cell damage over time, which could lead to dementia.
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Starting between 1990 and 1992, the researchers monitored men and women for an average of 15 years to asses the likelihood of dementia.
Participants had an average age of 68 at the start of the study and had no history of dementia or stroke.
Overall 19% of participants had been diagnosed with a type of dementia by the end of the trial, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Those who’d reported regular dizziness when standing up at the start of the trial were found to be more highly affected than those who did not.
Professor Tom Dening, from University Of Nottingham, described the research as “an important study”.
“The suggestion is that feeling dizzy, which results from a fall in blood pressure, may interfere with the circulation of blood round the brain and that over time, this causes damage which may contribute to dementia,” he told the BBC.
“This is a plausible hypothesis and has support from other research. It is possible that something else may be going on.”
He added that feeling dizzy “is not a death sentence” and does not mean you are certain to develop dementia.
“On the other hand, if this problem occurs frequently, then it is worth seeing your doctor as there may be remediable causes, for example if you are taking medication it should be reviewed,” he said.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Laura Phipps, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “While the risks found in this study are reasonably small compared to other known risk factors for dementia, it adds to a growing and complex picture of how blood pressure changes throughout life can impact the brain. It’s important that researchers build on this growing area of study to get to the bottom of what mechanisms are underlying this risk.
“Collecting lots of information from large groups of people and monitoring their health over long periods of time is an important way for researchers to unpick specific factors that might be contributing to dementia risk.”
She added that Alzheimer’s Research UK is investing £3 million to study dementia risk factors in a group of people who have been taking part in research since 1946, the UK’s longest running study of this kind.
“There is mounting evidence to suggest that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain and maintaining good vascular health is one of the key things people can do to reduce their risk of dementia,” she said.
“As well as maintaining a healthy blood pressure, the best current evidence suggests that not smoking, only drinking in moderation, staying mentally and physically active, eating a balanced diet, and keeping cholesterol levels in check can all help to keep our brains healthy as we age.”
At times everyone can become tired of housework, business activities, or social obligations. However a person with dementia may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual, or appear to lose interest in hobbies. (credit:John Rensten via Getty Images)
Changes in Personality (02 of10)
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A person with dementia may seem different from his or her usual self in ways that are difficult to pinpoint. A person may become suspicious, irritable, depressed, apathetic or anxious and agitated especially in situations where memory problems are causing difficulties. (credit:fStop Images - Carl Smith via Getty Images)
Mood Changes(03 of10)
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Everyone can become sad or moody from time to time. A person with dementia may become unusually emotional and experience rapid mood swings for no apparent reason. Alternatively a person with dementia may show less emotion than was usual previously. (credit:Mike Chick via Getty Images)
Misplace Things (04 of10)
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Anyone can temporarily misplace his or her wallet or keys. A person with dementia may put things in unusual places such as an iron in the fridge or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. (credit:Oli Kellett via Getty Images)
Problems With Keeping Track of Things (05 of10)
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A person with dementia may find it difficult to follow a conversation or keep up with paying their bills. (credit:Chris Red via Getty Images)
Increasingly poor Judgement(06 of10)
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People with dementia may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers of clothes on a warm day or very few on a cold day. (credit:Jessica Peterson via Getty Images)
Distortion of Time and Place (07 of10)
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We sometimes forget the day of the week or where we are going but people with dementia can become lost in familiar places such as the road they live in, forget where they are or how they got there, and not know how to get back home. A person with dementia may also confuse night and day. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Problems With Language(08 of10)
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Occasionally everyone has trouble finding the right word but a person with dementia often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making speech or writing hard to understand. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks(09 of10)
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People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we usually do not think about how to do them. A person with dementia may not know in what order to put clothes on or the steps for preparing a meal. (credit:Anthony Harvie via Getty Images)
Memory Loss(10 of10)
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Declining memory, especially short-term memory, is the most common early symptom of dementia. People with ordinary forgetfulness can still remember other facts associated with the thing they have forgotten. For example, they may briefly forget their next-door neighbour's name but they still know the person they are talking to is their next-door neighbour. A person with dementia will not only forget their neighbour's name but also the context. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation via Getty Images)