Low Blood Pressure on Standing: A Potential Early Sign of Parkinson's
A study suggests that orthostatic hypotension, a condition where blood pressure drops upon standing, may be a clinical marker for the body-first subtype of Parkinson's disease. This subtype is believed to originate in the digestive tract and spread to the brain, causing nonmotor symptoms like heart and digestive issues before motor symptoms appear. The study involved 928 Parkinson's patients and found those with orthostatic hypotension were more likely to experience motor fluctuations, sleep disorders, and autonomic nervous system problems. Researchers propose using orthostatic hypotension as a potential marker for early detection of this Parkinson's subtype.