What is Orthostatic or postural hypotension?

This is a condition that consists of low blood pressure when you sit up after sitting or lying down, making you feel dizzy or lightheaded, or even losing consciousness.

Orthostatic or postural hypotension, as it is also known, can be severe or mild. It usually occurs in older adults, mainly for one of the following reasons:

Nervous system disorders.
Alcohol consumption.
Dehydration.
Exposure to heat.
Eating some foods.
Medication.
Staying in bed for a long time due to an illness or injury that can cause weakness.
Heart conditions.
Endocrine disorders.

Signs and symptoms Orthostatic or postural hypotension

Lightheadedness or dizziness when getting up.
Lack of energy.
Disorientation.
Faint.
Blurred vision.

Possible complications of persistent orthostatic hypotension include:

Strokes due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
Falls caused by loss of consciousness.
Cardiovascular disorders such as:
Chest pain.
Heart failure.
Arrhythmia.

Diagnosis and treatment Orthostatic or postural hypotension

The doctor will analyze your symptoms and medical history, perform a physical examination, and request various tests, including:

Blood pressure control.
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Blood tests.
Stress test.
Tilt table test.
Valsalva maneuver.

Treatment of orthostatic hypotension depends on the cause but usually includes lifestyle changes and the use of certain medications.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments

Internal Medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

elsevier.es
imss.gov.mx
clevelandclinic.org
wnyurology.com
mayoclinic.org
msdmanuals.com
middlesexhealth.org
medlineplus.gov
medigraphic.com
González MAM, Rodríguez RL, Brenes HL, et al. Hipotensión ortostática en adulta mayor de 82 años, con caídas. Geroinfo. 2014;9(3):.
Chao CL, Ortega MLL, Domínguez GL, et al. Síncope e hipotensión ortostática. Rev Cub Med Int Emerg. 2012;11(2):2466-2482.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

Index

Content

Get from 3 to 9 interest-free installments* with American Express or 6 installments* when paying with Citibanamex, BBVA, HSBC, Santander or 12 installments*
when paying with Citibanamex.

Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is Orthostatic or postural hypotension?

Signs and symptoms Orthostatic or postural hypotension

Diagnosis and treatment Orthostatic or postural hypotension

Related centers and departments

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Orthostatic or postural hypotension