Posted by DocGreg (24.131.169.145) on August 17, 1999 at 23:34:26:
In Reply to: Bending Over Straighening Up Fast or Rising Fast - Dizzy posted by A Dame on August 17, 1999 at 22:48:55:
You are describing what sounds like orthostatic hypotension. It is a reduction in your blood pressure when you stand up quickly. This is caused by the need for your heart to pump blood under a higher pressure to lift it up against gravity. Many medications that are used for the treatment of clusters can exacerbate this. Verapamil (calcium channel blockers) and beta-blockers certainly can make this much worse.
The reduction in the blood pressure thus reduces the perfusion of the brain, causing you to feel like passing out. Occasionally, people will pass out all together. It is usually very reversable...as soon as you lie/sit down, the perfusion returns....also, your body eventually catches up, and after feeling several seconds of lightheadedness...the blood is restored.
You should run this by your doc. It could obviously cause you severe trouble if you stood up and promptly fell down the stairs...or passed out and fell on something sharp.
Greg