"Orthostatic hypotension." The doctor named the cause of dangerous falls in old age.

      One of the main dangers in treating hypertension in older patients is a sharp drop in blood pressure when transitioning from a horizontal to a vertical position, known as orthostatic hypotension. This was explained to the Uralweb.ru portal by the head of the geriatric department of the Russian Gerontological Scientific Clinical Center of the Pirogov University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, geriatrician, and candidate of medical sciences Valentina Ostapenko.

      “Orthostatic reactions increase with age. This is related to the aging process itself, the formation of vascular stiffness, and chronic diseases. Dehydration and a number of medications can exacerbate orthostatic reactions,” explains Valentina Sergeevna.

      Orthostatic hypotension increases the risk of falls, fractures, including hip fractures. It is also associated with a decline in cognitive functions.

      The doctor recommends:

      1. Always conduct an orthostatic test - an accessible and simple research method.

      To do this, blood pressure should be measured while lying down after 7 minutes of rest, then in a standing position at the 1st and 3rd minute. If the systolic ("upper") pressure drops by 20 mm Hg or more, and the diastolic ("lower") pressure drops by 10 mm Hg or more, this indicates the presence of orthostatic hypotension.

      2. Avoid sudden rises from bed: sit for about a minute first, then stand up.

      3. Monitor adequate fluid intake - an average of 30 ml per kilogram of body weight (about 1.6 liters for women and 2 liters for men), unless the doctor has restricted fluid intake.

      Earlier, Valentina Ostapenko urged that when treating arterial hypertension in older age, one should consider the geriatric status of the person, rather than striving for a general norm.