My husband has now been hospitalized twice in 3 weeks. One doctor said it was low blood sugar but it wasn't. Today he was sitting in a chair in the living room and just started fading away. His blood pressure has been on the higher side and Today it was 170 over 68. When the paramedics arrived his blood pressure was 60 over 30. It's getting extremely scary. How can we manage these episodes. I'm terrified.
January 25
Has your husband experienced severe drops in blood pressure when standing up?
Yes, this is a common issue in Parkinson's called orthostatic hypotension. It typically happens within three minutes of standing and can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. This condition is more common in people who have had Parkinson's for a Show Full Answer
Has your husband experienced severe drops in blood pressure when standing up?
Yes, this is a common issue in Parkinson's called orthostatic hypotension. It typically happens within three minutes of standing and can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. This condition is more common in people who have had Parkinson's for a longer time.
The blood pressure drops can result from Parkinson's itself due to nervous system damage, or as a side effect of Parkinson's medications. Having diabetes alongside Parkinson's can make managing these symptoms more complex.
A MyParkinsonsTeam member shared: "I'm dizzy. Sometimes, it lasts a few hours, and sometimes it lasts for days." Another wrote: "It happens when I'm sitting or lying down — when I get up to stand, the dizzy spells happen."
These blood pressure drops increase fall risk, so it's important to:
- Stand up slowly from sitting or lying positions
- Stay well-hydrated
- Discuss medication adjustments with his doctor
- Consider compression stockings
Talk to his neurologist about treatment options, as there are medications and strategies that can help manage orthostatic hypotension.
January 25
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