Timing of Orthostatic Hypotension and Falls in Older Adults

In some cases, delayed orthostasis (occurring longer than 3 minutes after standing) is associated with risk for falls.

Orthostatic hypotension — a risk factor for falls among older patients — can occur immediately upon standing or after a delay of several minutes. In this study, researchers looked at the timing of orthostatic decreases in blood pressure (BP) and risk for falls among nearly 500 community-dwelling adults (age, ≥70) at high risk for falling. Many patients were taking antihypertensive drugs, 26% had diabetes, and ≈60% met criteria for “pre-frailty.”

According to the study protocol, participants underwent supine BP measurement, followed immediately by six standing measurements, distributed over ≈6 minutes. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a systolic drop of ≥20 mm Hg or a diastolic drop of ≥10 mm Hg. Findings were as follows:

Mean supine BP …

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Timing of Orthostatic Hypotension and Falls in Older Adults

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Reviewing Author