Key Takeaways – Orthostatic Hypotension
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Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension) is a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing, often causing dizziness or fainting.
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Low blood pressure is generally defined as below 90/60 mmHg in Australian adults but may vary per individual.
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This condition is more common in seniors (65+), with up to 18.2% prevalence, but can affect all ages.
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Causes include dehydration, heart conditions, endocrine disorders, severe infection, and certain medications.
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Symptoms range from lightheadedness, blurred vision, and weakness to severe signs like confusion and rapid breathing.
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Triggers can include standing abruptly, morning hours, heavy meals, alcohol, exercise, or illness.
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Prevention may involve hydration, increased salt intake, medication adjustments, and treating underlying conditions.
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Emergency care includes having the person sit or lie down, elevate legs, and ensure adequate fluid intake.
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Untreated long-term orthostatic hypotension may signal serious health problems requiring medical evaluation.
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First aid training can equip individuals to respond effectively—CPR First Aid offers accredited courses across Australia.
Orthostatic hypotension is a condition that results in a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying position. This can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, which can be dangerous if you are driving or performing other tasks that require concentration. While orthostatic hypotension can be uncomfortable, it is usually not harmful and can be treated with lifestyle changes or medication.
Meaning of Hypotension
Blood pressure (BP) is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, occurs when the blood pressure in the arteries is lower than usual. Generally, the BP reading among Australian adults is less than 90/60 mmHg.
A person’s low blood pressure may be fine for another. There can be no noticeable symptoms, but they can be life-threatening. Hypotension can also indicate an underlying health condition, especially if it happens together with symptoms.
First responders and first aiders receive training in taking blood pressure manually or electronically. If you’re interested in first aid and CPR certification in Cheltenham or any CPR First Aid locations, see our list of first aid courses here.
Types of Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension can be acute, developing suddenly and severely, or chronic, occurring gradually. Below are some of the common low blood pressure types among Australians.
Orthostatic Hypotension
When rising from a seated position, blood pressure dramatically drops. This primarily affects seniors, and we’re highlighting this type in this article.
Hypotension after eating
This decrease in blood pressure happens one to two hours after a meal, particularly in people with excessive blood pressure or illnesses of the autonomic nervous system, including Parkinson’s disease. This scenario mainly impacts seniors.
Hypotension with neural mediation
It is characterised by a dip in blood pressure after prolonged standing, mainly affecting children and young adults.
Orthostatic Hypotension together with multiple system atrophy
An uncommon condition known as Shy-Drager syndrome affects the neurological system, which regulates involuntary processes, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and digestion. It is believed to be linked to extremely high blood pressure when lying down.
What Medical Conditions Causes Low BP?
- Pregnancy
- Conditions of the heart and heart valves
- Illnesses relating to hormones (endocrine disorders)
- Dehydration
- Loss of blood
- Septicemia – a severe infection
- Anaphylaxis – significant allergic response
- A diet lacking in nutrition
The risk of low blood pressure may rise with cardiac issues. Severe hypotension can lower the body’s oxygen levels, harming the heart and brain.
Medications That May Result in Low BP
- Diuretics such as furosemide and water tablets, hydrochlorothiazide
- Alpha blockers like prazosin
- Beta blockers, such as propranolol and atenolol
- Parkinson’s medication, such as pramipexole or levodopa-containing medications
- Specific antidepressant medication, e.g. imipramine and doxepin
- Sildenafil and tadalafil, mainly when used with the heart medicine nitroglycerin – are medications for erectile dysfunction
Fast Facts About Orthostatic Hypertension
- Commonly known as postural hypotension
- It occurs while getting up from a chair or lying down.
- It can result in fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness, as well as the possibility for a patient to fall and incur secondary trauma wounds
- typically less severe and short
- Long-lasting orthostatic hypotension is harmful if left untreated since it may indicate more serious issues.
What Happens During Orthostatic Hypotension?
Gravity significantly impacts blood flow every time you get out of a sitting or reclining position. On average, approximately 300 to 800ml of blood momentarily pools in the blood vessels of the legs. Blood pressure falls due to less blood returning to the heart, resulting in blood pooling.
Specific cells called baroreceptors detect the decline in BP. In a healthy individual, the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems swiftly react by speeding up the heart rate and telling the blood vessels in the legs and belly to constrict or tighten. These actions keep the brain’s blood pressure at a healthy level.
In a person with orthostatic hypotension, this compensatory process to raise blood pressure may not happen or may be delayed. They continue to have low blood pressure, which results in symptoms. Once the individual sits or lies down again, blood pressure usually recovers to normal, although this depends on how severe the underlying problem is.
Who is Prone to Orthostatic Hypotension?
Patients 65 years of age and older are most likely to experience orthostatic hypotension, in part because of diminished baroreceptor sensitivity. Within that age range, the prevalence can reach 18.2 per cent.
Other Conditions Putting People At Risk
- Orthostatic hypotension is also more likely to occur in patients with cardiovascular conditions such as aortic stenosis, pericarditis, myocarditis, or arrhythmias.
- Younger and middle-aged patients are equally susceptible to it; however, they typically have persistent autonomic failure in the absence of volume depletion.
Symptoms of Postural Hypotension
The most common symptom of orthostatic hypotension is lightheadedness or dizziness upon standing. Other symptoms may include:
- feeling faint or unsteady
- feeling like you are going to black out
- confusion or having trouble focusing
- blurred vision
- nausea and wanting to vomit
- weakness or body malaise
- sweating
Extreme low blood pressure, on the other hand, can lead to a condition known as shock. Symptoms which may need immediate medical attention are:
- confusion, most frequently in the elderly
- clammy, cold skin
- reduction in skin colour (pallor)
- shallow, rapid breathing
- weak and quick pulsations
- brief loss of consciousness
If you or the person you care for experiences any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention, as orthostatic hypotension can be a sign of a more severe condition.
When Do Symptoms Occur?
Here are some daily scenarios that can bring about orthostatic hypotension:
- abrupt standing or sitting up
- early in the day, when blood pressure naturally drops
- after a heavy meal
- large alcohol consumption
- when exercising
- straining on the toilet
- when sick
How Do I Prevent Orthostatic Hypotension?
You can treat orthostatic hypotension in a few ways, depending on the underlying cause.
If you are dehydrated, drinking plenty of fluids and adding salt to your diet may help prevent postural hypotension.
If the condition is due to a medication you are taking, your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication.
If an underlying condition is causing orthostatic hypotension, treating that condition may help to improve your symptoms. For example, if you have diabetes, tightly control your blood sugar levels. Another circumstance would be, if a heart condition is present, such as irregular heartbeats or heart failure, treating that condition may help to reduce episodes of orthostatic hypotension.
Emergency Care for Orthostatic Hypotension
- If a person experiences dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up, let him or her sit or lie down immediately, and
- Try to raise the legs above the level of the person’s heart
- Give the affected person plenty of fluids and advise him or her to avoid standing for long periods.
- Wearing loose, comfortable clothing helps improve blood circulation.
If symptoms persist and you have any questions or concerns, it would be an excellent time to visit the doctor.
In conclusion, knowing the meaning and causes of high and low blood pressure can help prevent both conditions from worsening. Both can be dangerous to a person if not treated early on. CPR First Aid RTO 21903 in Cheltenham has a variety of compliant, high-quality courses tailored for anyone wanting to get certified. These include childcare first aid courses and advance first aid courses among others. Please tour our website and find the right first aid training that best suits your needs.