[Orthostatic hypotension in the aged. Systematic exploration in 400 persons].

Abstract

The authors study the adaptation of the blood pressure to changes in posture in 400 people, and studied the world literature on the subject. They found that postural hypotension in the elderly is quite different from that in young adults. A full study is difficult and the response to changes in posture are inconstant, this it is only possible to take into consideration changes in systolic blood pressure, and one should not neglect falls in blood pressure of low amplitude. This definition, once accepted, postural hypotension in the elderly is a frequent phenomenon which gives complex symptoms owing to the intrication of vascular disturbances and lesions of the central nervous system. Among the numerous permanent or occasional causes, more particularly those due to drugs, the role of hypovolemia seems to be of importance in orthostatic hypotension and should be sought as a routine.