{"id":21030,"date":"2022-04-06T08:17:48","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T06:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asssa.es\/en\/?p=21030"},"modified":"2022-06-30T12:47:00","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T10:47:00","slug":"orthostatic-hypotension-do-you-get-dizzy-when-you-stand-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asssa.es\/en\/orthostatic-hypotension-do-you-get-dizzy-when-you-stand-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Orthostatic Hypotension. Do you get dizzy when you stand up?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orthostatic hypotension<\/strong> consists of a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing posture, from lying down or sitting for a while, to standing up quickly and unexpectedly.<\/p>\n

With the passage from the decubitus to the standing position, a displacement of blood occurs, causing 500-700 ml of blood to be retained in the lower limbs and in the splenic area (spleen), leading to a reduction in venous return and cardiac output.<\/p>\n

When the mechanisms that maintain blood pressure fail, orthostatic hypotension occurs, which can result in syncope (fainting) if the patient sits up or stands up.<\/p>\n

Syncope<\/strong> is defined as a sudden, short-lived<\/strong> loss of consciousness and postural tone that resolves spontaneously without neurological sequelae<\/strong>. It is caused by a sudden drop in cerebral flow, which produces a transient deficit of cerebral metabolism. It is a common clinical profile. About 20 per cent of the adult population has had a syncopal episode at some point in their lives.<\/p>\n

The term presyncope<\/strong> is used to describe abrupt<\/strong> episodes of clouded consciousness and unsteadiness<\/strong>, from which the patient recovers quickly without actually experiencing complete loss of consciousness. This is regarded as a failed form of syncope.<\/p>\n

Orthostatic hypotension<\/strong> is diagnosed when there is a reduction of 20-15 mm Hg between the intake of systolic BP in the decubitus position and 2 minutes after going to a standing position<\/strong>. In the elderly this tends to be a frequent occurrence.<\/p>\n

The causes are numerous and range from functional disorders to severe neurological processes that affect the baroreceptor reflex arc.<\/p>\n

The most common causes<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n