Abstract
BACKGROUND: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is common in older adults and associated with increased morbidity and mortality, loss of independence and high health-care costs. Standing up slowly is a recommended non-pharmacological intervention. However, the effectiveness of this advice has not been well studied.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether standing up slowly antagonises posture-related blood pressure (BP) decrease in a clinically relevant population of geriatric outpatients.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 24 community-dwelling older adults referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic and diagnosed with OH were included. BP was measured continuously during 3 consecutive transitions from supine to standing position during normal, slow and fast transition.
RESULTS: The relative BP decrease at 0-15 s after slow transition was significantly lower than after normal transition (p = 0.003 for both systolic BP and diastolic BP) and fast transition (p = 0.045 for systolic BP; diastolic BP: non-significant). The relative diastolic BP decrease at 60-180 s after normal transition was significantly lower than after fast transition (p = 0.029).
CONCLUSION: Standing up slowly antagonises BP decrease predominantly during the first 15 s of standing up in a clinically relevant population of geriatric outpatients diagnosed with OH. Results support the non-pharmacological intervention in clinical practice to counteract OH.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 137-143 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Gerontology |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 19 Oct 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2017 |
Bibliographical note
© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.Keywords
- Accidental Falls/prevention & control
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging/physiology
- Blood Pressure/physiology
- Blood Pressure Determination/methods
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Hypotension, Orthostatic/physiopathology
- Male
- Posture/physiology
- Time Factors