Orthostatic hypertension

Common card · No. 497823

Orthostatic hypertension is a medical condition consisting of an abrupt increase in blood pressure (BP) when a person stands up. Orthostatic hypertension is diagnosed by a rise in systolic BP of 20 mmHg or more when standing, in combination with a standing systolic BP of at least 140 mmHg. When systolic BP remains under 140 mmHg, this is called exaggerated blood pressure response to standing (ERTS). When it affects an individual's ability to remain upright, orthostatic hypertension is considered as a form of orthostatic intolerance. The body's inability to regulate blood pressure can be a type of dysautonomia. Baroreflex and autonomic pathways normally ensure that blood pressure is maintained despite various stimuli, including postural change. The precise mechanism of orthostatic hypertension remains unclear, but alpha-adrenergic activity may be the predominant mechanism of orthostatic hypertension in elderly hypertensive patients. Other mechanisms are proposed for other groups with...

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