Postural changes in blood pressure in the general population of Cantabria (northern Spain)

To describe the postural changes in blood pressure and correlates among the general population of Cantabria, a region in the north of Spain.

Between 2002 and 2004 blood pressure measurements were taken in a seated position and after 1 and 3 min standing on a random sample of 1178 individuals aged 18 years and above, stratified by age and sex.

The prevalence of orthostatic hypotension was 7%, whereas 30% of the participants presented an exaggerated increase in blood pressure when standing and 36% presented one of the two alterations (postural dysregulation in blood pressure syndrome). Sixteen percent of the nonhypertensive participants presented a blood pressure figure when standing that was above or equal to 140/90 mmHg (orthostatic hypertension). In logistic regression analysis the existence of a high level of blood pressure when sitting was the only variable related to orthostatic hypotension (odds ratio: 2.407; confidence interval: 1.413-4.099).

When evaluating and treating hypertensive patients, it should be taken into account that orthostatic hypotension is more frequent among those individuals who present poor levels of control of their blood pressure figures. Postural dysregulation in blood pressure syndrome is frequent among the general population, and therefore it is worthy of detailed study.