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Simple exercises can prevent dizzy spells when standing up

"Since it's a physical maneuver it simply requires the lower body limbs - which patients can utilize at any time and from anywhere to combat their symptoms."

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By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Simple exercises can prevent dizzy spells when standing up, according to new research.

Raising the knees and crossing legs could combat a form of low blood pressure called initial orthostatic hypotension (IOH), say doctors.

It affects up to four in ten people and can lead to fainting - or even a heart attack or stroke.

Vessels fail to constrict when the body takes an upright position and reduced blood flow to the brain causes feelings of light-headedness.

Lead investigator Professor Satish Raj, of Calgary University, said: "Almost everyone has probably experienced some lightheadedness at some time after standing up.

"For some people this is a frequent occurrence and may happen several times a day.

"It can be very frightening and negatively impact their quality of life.

"We wanted to explore this further and provide novel and effective symptom management techniques with the goal of improving the patient's quality of life."

There are no costs - or drugs - involved. The two muscle therapies could treat a poorly understood condition, say the Canadian team.

The study found both PREACT (repeated knee raises) and TENSE (leg crossing) prior to standing lessened blood pressure drop.

They lessened symptoms by increasing cardiac and blood output, respectively.

Currently, there are very few options available to patients - and no pharmacological treatments.

Advice includes standing up slowly or sitting up first - for those who've been lying down.

The findings in Heart Rhythm are based on 22 women in their 20s and 30s with a history of fainting - more than four episodes a month.

Participants were required to have a significant drop in systolic blood pressure of at least 40 mmHg upon standing.

They completed three sit-to-stand maneuvers - including one where there was no intervention.

First author Dr. Nasia Sheikh, from the same lab, said: "Our study provides a novel and cost-free symptom management technique patients with IOH can use to manage their symptoms.

"Since it's a physical maneuver it simply requires the lower body limbs - which patients can utilize at any time and from anywhere to combat their symptoms."

A fall in blood pressure after standing or changing position is particularly common in over 65s.

Co-investigator Dr. Mary Runte, of Lethbridge, University, said: "Our study demonstrates the physiology of IOH and assesses the utility of physical maneuvers that can help the patient manage their symptoms.

"A diagnosis of IOH is identified by patients as the critical first step to empowering them to understand and master their symptoms and thus minimise the disruptions to daily living caused by this common - but not commonly understood - condition."

Dr. Bert Vandenberk and Prof Carlos Morillo, from Calgary who were not involved in the study, called for further research.

They said: "PREACT and TENSE provide an elegant and simple effective symptom relief option for patients with IOH.

"The study needs to be validated in men, as well as being explored in the elderly where multiple confounders should be addressed.

"Understanding the role of cardio-pulmonary mechano-receptors should also provide further mechanistic insights into the effects of these simple yet very effective physiologic maneuvers."

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