Dizziness on standing up? Know everything about Orthostatic Hypotension

Hypotension is low blood pressure that occurs when the blood pressure falls below the normal levels. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and the readings are divided in two figures.

The first one is systolic blood pressure and the second one is diastolic blood pressure.

• Systolic blood pressure: It is the pressure caused by the heart contracting and pushing out blood.
• Diastolic blood pressure: It is the pressure when the heart relaxes and receives the oxygenated blood.

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The term "orthostatic hypotension" refers to the drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up. Orthostatic means upright posture of the body and hypotension defines low blood pressure. It is also known as postural hypotension.

When a person stands up from a sitting or lying position, the body tries to adjust to the new position. It is important for the body at that moment to push blood upward and provide oxygen to the brain. In cases when the body fails to do so, the blood pressure drops due to which a person may become lightheaded or may even pass out.

1. Lie down for 10-15 minutes
2. Take a reading of the blood pressure and pulse rate
3. Stand up after laying down for the given time
4. Measure the blood pressure and pulse rate again instantly and again after 2 and 4 minutes.

An ideal healthy blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. A reading below 90/60mmHg is known to be low blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension is based on individual's blood pressure. If an individual’s blood pressure drops more than 20mmHg in systolic pressure and 10mmHg in diastolic pressure, they are known to have orthostatic hypotension.

• Extremely low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Fainting after changing the posture or while standing for a long time.
• Blurred vision
• Syncope Blackouts
• Sudden falls
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Headache

The symptoms of an orthostatic hypotension patient gradually goes away when the body starts adjusting to the new position.

The symptoms could potentially be a symptom of many other serious illnesses like cardiovascular illnesses, such as heart failure and irregular heartbeat. The sudden drops in blood pressure can also become a risk factor for strokes due to the insufficient blood supply to the brain.

• HUTT test: A head-up tilt table test is used to record the measurements of both the blood pressure and pulse rate every minute. In this test a patient is tilted on a table at different levels. The whole procedure takes about 45 – 60 minutes.

• ECG: An electrocardiogram is a test which monitors the electrical signals of the heart. This test can detect abnormal cardiac rhythms and difficulties with the heart's blood and oxygen supply

• ULTRASOUND or ECHO: Echo is a scan that is made to view the heart and its nearby blood vessels. It's an ultrasound scan in which a small probe is used to send out high-frequency sound waves that bounce off different regions of the body, creating echoes.

A patient having hypotension should always stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. It is important for them to limit their alcohol and avoid any kind of drugs because it can worsen Orthostatic Hypotension.

Increasing the salt intake in the diet can also help in managing orthostatic hypotension as salt is believed to increase the blood pressure. However, it’s always recommended that one increases their salt intake only after consulting the doctor.

Do not stand immediately. While standing up from any horizontal position it is important to first sit for quite some time and then get up so that the body gets enough time to adjust.

Do not exercise excessively, especially during summers or in hot weather conditions.

Leg Compression stockings can be worn to prevent orthostatic hypotension as they promote blood circulation. However, it’s important to consult the doctor about this.