Orthostatic hypotension is a condition in which the sufferer feels dizzy when getting up from sitting or lying down, for example, when he wakes up feeling dizzy. This condition arises because blood pressure decreases, and the body's natural response in returning blood pressure to normal is disturbed.
Mild orthostatic hypotension usually lasts only a few minutes. If it lasts longer, it can be a sign that there are other medical problems that are more prevalent, such as heart disease. If left untreated, it can lead to other conditions, such as stroke and heart failure.
Symptoms of Orthostatic Hypotension
Patients with orthostatic hypotension will experience dizziness when getting up from sitting or lying down. In addition to dizziness, people with orthostatic hypotension may also experience other symptoms, such as:
- Blurred vision.
- Body feels weak.
- dazed.
- Nauseous.
- Faint.
Causes and Factors Riorthostatic hypotension
When a person gets up from sitting or lying down, blood will naturally flow to the legs, thereby reducing blood circulation to the heart and causing a drop in blood pressure. Normally the body has a natural response in dealing with these conditions. However, in people with orthostatic hypotension, the body's natural response to restoring decreased blood pressure doesn't work as well as it should.
There are several factors that are thought to cause disturbances in the body's natural response to a decrease in blood pressure that causes orthostatic hypotension, namely:
- abnormal heart function, such as bradycardia, coronary heart disease, or heart failure.
- endocrine gland disorders, such as Addison's disease or hypoglycemia.
- Dehydration, for example due to lack of drinking water, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive sweating.
- nervous system disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy.
- After eating. This condition can occur in elderly patients.
- drug use, as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and beta-blockers.
In addition, there are several other factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing orthostatic hypotension, namely:
- 65 years of age or older. Sometimes low blood pressure due to orthostatic hypotension can also occur in children.
- Being in a hot environment.
- Not being active or moving for a long time, such as when hospitalizedbed rest).
- Is pregnant.
- Consuming alcoholic beverages.
Diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension
In diagnosing orthostatic hypotension, the doctor will observe the symptoms that appear, the history of the disease, and the patient's condition as a whole. The doctor will also use a series of tests to confirm the condition and find out the cause.
Some of the tests used to diagnose orthostatic hypotension include:
- Blood pressure check. This test uses a special instrument called a sphygmomanometer. In the process, the doctor will check the blood pressure while the patient is sitting and standing, then compare them.
- Blood test. This test is used to check the patient's overall health condition. Blood tests are also used to detect hypoglycemia or anemia that can trigger a drop in blood pressure.
- Electrocardiography. Electrocardiography (ECG) uses special tools in the form of electrodes that are placed on the patient's chest, legs, and hands. This device is used to detect electrical activity in the heart.
- Echocardiography. Echocardiography uses sound waves (USG) to produce pictures of heart conditions.
- stress test. This test is done when the heart is working harder, such as during exercise (running on a machine). treadmill), then the patient's heart condition will be observed using an EKG or echocardiography.
- Tilt table test or tilt table test. In the process, the patient will be asked to lie down on a special bed that can be rotated. After the patient lies down, the doctor will check the patient's blood pressure in different positions.
- Valsalva maneuver. In this test, the patient will be asked to follow the movements instructed by the doctor. It aims to check the function of the autonomic nervous system, by assessing heart rate and blood pressure.
Orthostatic Hypotension Treatment and Prevention
The treatment method used can be different for each patient, depending on the accompanying causes. If the patient experiences dizziness when standing up, the patient can immediately sit or lie down to relieve symptoms. For symptoms of orthostatic hypotension that occur due to drug use, it is better if the patient consults a doctor immediately. The doctor may reduce the dose or advise the patient to stop taking the drug.
Your doctor may also recommend other methods of treating orthostatic hypotension, such as:
- Compression stockings or socks. Compression stockings are used to prevent the accumulation of blood in the legs so that the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension that appear can be reduced.
- Drug, as pyridostigimine or heptaminol. The dose used will be adjusted to the existing conditions.
In addition to the methods above, there are several things you can do to treat and prevent orthostatic hypotension. Among them are:
- Drink a lot of water.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid hot places.
- Rest your head on a higher place when lying down.
- Avoid crossing your legs when sitting.
- When you want to stand up, do it slowly.
- Increase the consumption of salt if you are not hypertensive.
- Do not eat in excessive portions and low in carbohydrates, in patients with orthostatic hypotension that occurs after eating.
Complications of Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension that has been suffered for a long time and does not get treatment is at risk of causing complications. Complications that can occur include:
- strokes.
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as heart rhythm disturbances or heart failure.