Postural hypotension
BMJ 2011; 342 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d3128 (Published 16 June 2011) Cite this as: BMJ 2011;342:d3128
- T Sathyapalan, senior lecturer1,
- M M Aye, clinical research fellow1,
- S L Atkin, professor 1
- 1Academic Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hull-York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull HU3 2RW, UK
- Correspondence to: Professor Stephen L Atkin, Head of Academic Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hull York Medical School, Michael White Diabetes Centre, Hull, HU3 2RW Stephen.Atkin{at}hyms.ac.uk
Learning points
Postural hypotension is an abnormal fall in blood pressure—of at least 20 mm Hg systolic and 10 mm Hg diastolic—within three minutes of standing upright
The commonest causes of postural hypotension are medications and conditions that cause hypovolaemia
The patient’s history is of particular importance and has a high diagnostic value
Even after extensive evaluation, about a third of patients with persistent, consistent postural hypotension have no identified cause
A 70 year old man presents with recurrent lightheadedness for two to three weeks when getting up at night to pass urine over. On questioning, he reports having occasional episodes of lightheadedness when standing for prolonged periods. Three months previously he had been started on the α adrenergic blocker alfuzosin 2.5 mg three times daily, after complaining of urinary frequency and a poor urinary stream; physical examination had found an enlarged prostate along with a value for prostate specific antigen within the normal range. His other medical history includes well controlled type 2 diabetes, for which he is taking metformin 500 mg three times daily and simvastatin 40 mg daily.
On physical examination, his blood pressure was 130/80 mm Hg (right arm supine) and 105/69 mm Hg (right arm standing) with the patient complaining of lightheadedness after standing up. His heart rate was a regular 88 beats/min supine and did not rise with standing. Physical examination was otherwise unremarkable.
Postural (also known as orthostatic) hypotension is an abnormal decrease in blood pressure—of at least 20 mm Hg systolic and 10 mm Hg diastolic—within three minutes of standing upright.1 The prevalence of postural hypotension increases with age,2 and among elderly people it ranges from 6% (in those who are healthy)3 to 68% (in …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £184 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£50 / $60/ €56 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.