Orthostatic Hypotension Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Orthostatic hypotension is a condition caused by a drastic drop in blood pressure due to standing up suddenly. The main symptoms of this condition are dizziness, head spinning or fainting when standing suddenly from a sitting position.
Orthostatic hypotension generally occurs only occasionally and resolves within minutes. However, if these symptoms continue to recur or last a long time, it could be that the background is another disease that is more serious and requires special evaluation.
Symptom
The main symptom of orthostatic hypotension is feeling dizzy or unsteady when standing. Other symptoms include:
- Blurred vision
- Nauseous
- disoriented
- Weak
- Tired
- Faint
These symptoms generally improve by resting in a sitting or lying position. If the complaint does not improve after changing position, then special treatment and evaluation is needed regarding other possible, more serious causes.
Reason
Orthostatic hypotension is caused by a blockage in the body’s natural process of coping with a drop in blood pressure. Some conditions that can trigger orthostatic hypotension include:
- Aging. One study showed that orthostatic hypotension occurs in 20 percent of elderly people, especially those over 65 years of age.
- Loss of blood and body fluids due to bleeding, diarrhea, and dehydration.
- Bed rest for a long time.
- Pregnancy.
- Heart problems – such as heart rhythm disorders, valve disorders, heart attacks, and heart failure.
- Lack of blood or anemia.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Hormonal disturbances.
- Consumption of certain high blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers ca channel blockers and nitrates.
- Hot weather.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension is determined on the basis of a detailed medical interview to find out the patient’s complaints. In addition, the doctor will also carry out additional supporting examinations.
The additional inspection in question is carried out using a table that can be changed to an upright position. This allows the patient who is lying on the table to turn into a standing one.
The doctor will also do a blood test. In people with orthostatic hypotension, there is a change in blood pressure from sitting or lying down to a standing position.
This change in blood pressure is 20 mmHg for systolic pressure and 10 mmHg for diastolic. Changes in blood pressure are also accompanied by quite disturbing complaints such as dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and fainting.
Other supporting examinations are carried out using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram. The ECG is performed with the aim of getting an overview of the heartbeat, heart structure, and the condition of the blood and oxygen benchmarks to the patient’s heart muscle.
Treatment
Treatment of orthostatic hypotension can be done based on the cause. If the reason is due to the use of certain drugs, it is necessary to replace drugs that do not cause similar symptoms.
If the patient does not respond adequately to the treatment given, the doctor will give additional drugs such as fludrocortisone, midodrine, or pyridostigmine.
Lifestyle changes are also needed to help the patient’s recovery process. Patients with orthostatic hypotension are advised to consume lots of fluids and avoid walking in hot weather. It is also necessary to reduce alcohol consumption.
Prevention
Various complications of orthostatic hypotension can be prevented by treating the cause quickly and appropriately. For example, by avoiding walking in hot weather and changing the use of drugs (eg taking high blood pressure medications) that are not appropriate.