Lightning Learning: Orthostatic Hypotension
“Orthostatic hypotension is the fall in blood pressure when transitioning from lying to standing.”
What?
Orthostatic Hypotension is the fall in blood pressure when transitioning from lying to standing.
Positive result?
>20 mmHg drop in systolic BP
Drop to below
90 mmHg SBP on standing>10 mmHg drop in diastolic BP with symptoms
Why?
Orthostatic Hypotension is an important cause of collapse and lightheadedness. This can result in falls, which is associated with increased morbidity especially in the older person.
Prevalence may be as high as 20% and can have a delayed onset of up to 5 mins in over half of those affected.
Postprandial hypotension occurs in older patients up to 90 minutes after a meal.
Further Reading
- Royal College of Physicians: Measurement of lying and standing blood pressure: A brief guide for clinical staff
- UpToDate: Mechanisms, causes, and evaluation of orthostatic hypotension
