May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Heart Disease Postural hypotension
Postural hypotension |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My father has been having blood pressure issues for several months lately. Symptoms point to postural hypotension, however, nothing has helped. When he is laying down his pressure is normal, if he is sitting it can get as low as 60 over 30. Could a failing valve or artery also cause his blood pressure to get so low when in an upright position, and be normal when laying down? He had a pace maker installed in 2005 due to heart rate dropping as low as 17bpm, mostly while sleeping. Dear Dana:There are many causes for postural hypotension, which is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure > 20mmHg, diastolic >10mmHg or both. If your father’s blood pressure is normal lying down and drops to 60/30mmHg this is highly significant because he is at risk of collapse, loss of consciousness, fractures, head injury etc. This warrants further investigation immediately with tilt table testing. The most common cause of postural hypotension is dehydration; although this may be easily excluded. Other causes include: drugs, adrenal gland insufficiency, abnormalities of the nervous system control of BP (may be secondary to diabetes or amyloidosis), autoimmune disease, or disease of the vagal nerve. I would advise urgent investigation to prevent the occurrence of collapse or falls in your father. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 August 2010 ) |
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