Sharp decrease in blood pressure caused by quick changes in posture. It can occur at any age but it is more common in older adults.
It is promoted by a low volume of blood (bleeding, dehydration), lack of tone in blood vessels, high blood pressure medication, pregnancy, alcohol intake, elevated ambient temperature and Parkinson's disease.
It manifests with a feeling of dizziness and haze. If the drop in blood pressure is significant, it can cause a decrease in cerebral circulation and, as a consequence, loss of consciousness.
Diagnosis is clinical, through the patient's questioning and a physical examination in which a drop in blood pressure along with a quick change in posture can be seen.
The cause must be treated and general prevention measures taken. In more severe cases, a pharmacological treatment may be necessary.
- Horacio Kaufmann. Mechanisms, causes, and evaluation of orthostatic hypotension. UpToDate. Febrero 2015
- Horacio Kaufmann. Treatment of orthostatic and postprandial hypotension. Mayo 2015
- Miller ER 3rd. High prevalence but uncertain clinical significance of orthostatic hypotension without symptoms. Circulation 2014; 130:1772.
- Mills PB. Nonpharmacologic management of orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2015; 96:366.
- Roy Freeman. Síncope. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 27
