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Non-pharmacological management of orthostatic hypotension in the elderly patient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2006

Chie Wei Fan
Affiliation:
St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Conal J Cunningham
Affiliation:
St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Abstract

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) drop of at least 20 mmHg, or a diastolic blood pressure drop of at least 10 mm Hg within three minutes of standing from a supine position. It can be symptomatic or asymptomatic and is a common condition that can affect up to one in three older people living in the community. The prevalence is higher amongst those with Parkinson's disease and, unsurprisingly, amongst those attending a syncope clinic. The aetiology and pathophysiology of OH have been comprehensively discussed in a previous article in this journal.

Type
Clinical Geriatrics
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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