New research suggests the sensation of getting dizzy several minutes after standing up could be an indication of bigger health problems and even an increased risk of death.

The phenomenon of dizziness after standing is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, often linked to dehydration. Occasional occurrences of this type of dizziness is common, but researchers believe if it happens frequently and several minutes after standing (orthostatic hypotension), it could be a warning sign of a serious underlying issue, the American Academy of Neurology reported.

"Our study looked at delayed orthostatic hypotension, when the drop in blood pressure happens more than three minutes after standing or sitting up," said study author Christopher Gibbons, with Harvard Medical School in Boston and a Fellow with the American Academy of Neurology. "Our findings suggest that more than half of people with the delayed form of this condition will go on to develop the more serious form of this disease. This is also the first study to date suggesting the disease is a milder form of the more common and serious disorder."

To make their findings, a team of researchers reviewed the medical records of 165 people with an average age of 59 who completed nervous system testing and were followed for 10 years. Out of the sample, 48 were diagnosed with delayed orthostatic hypotension, 42 had orthostatic hypotension, and 75 did not have either condition.

Over the course of the study and follow-up, 54 percent of participants with delayed orthostatic hypotension developed orthostatic hypotension and 31 percent developed a degenerative brain diseases including Parkinson's. The rate of death for patients with orthostatic hypotension was 64 percent, and was only at 29 percent for those with delayed orthostatic hypotension (the less severe of the two); the rate of death was 9 percent for patients without either condition. The death rate for patients who had delayed orthostatic hypotension that progressed to orthostatic hypotension was 50 percent.

"Our findings may lead to earlier recognition, diagnosis and treatments of this condition and possibly other underlying diseases that may contribute to early death," said Gibbons.

The findings were published in a recent edition of the journal Neurology.