#297: Understanding Orthostatic Hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) occurs when the body has an inadequate response to postural changes and, as a result, is unable to maintain a steady blood pressure when moving from a lying to standing position. It is defined as a decrease in systolic or diastolic blood pressure that occurs within three minutes of moving from a sitting or supine position to a standing position. The parameter for OH is a decrease of 20 mmHg systolic or a decrease of 10 mmHg diastolic.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The physiology of orthostatic hypotension
• The key difference between acute and chronic OH
• How neurogenic OH differs from non-neurogenic OH
• Conditions that exacerbate OH
• Why drug-induced OH occurs
• Medical conditions that can cause an individual to have acute or chronic OH
• The complications of orthostatic hypotension
• How orthostatic hypotension is diagnosed
• How orthostatic hypotension is treated
• Pharmacology for OH

Read the article and view references here.

Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides!

If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people 🙂

_____________________________________
The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider’s scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.