The importance of accurately assessing orthostatic hypotension

Geriatr Nurs. 2004 Mar-Apr;25(2):99-101. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2003.10.022.

Abstract

Potential adverse outcomes of orthostatic hypotension (OH) range from mild symptoms of dizziness to more severe consequences of falls, fractures, and immobility. OH can be a significant problem among patients who use psychotropic medications. Clinical practitioners have observed that OH assessment among patients receiving psychotropic medications is often overlooked or inaccurate. This article addresses two areas critical to the development of a clinical standard for measuring orthostatic blood pressure: a review of procedural inconsistencies regarding OH assessment and recommendations for obtaining accurate orthostatic measurements.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Pressure Determination
  • Humans
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / complications
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / diagnosis*
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / physiopathology
  • Reproducibility of Results