[Diagnosis and therapy of hypotensive cardiovascular disorders in old age]

Postural hypotension, defined as a fall in systolic pressure of 20 mmHg or more on standing, and other hypotensive conditions are major problems in geriatric medicine. In this article the physiology and the pathology of orthostatic blood pressure regulation in the elderly are reviewed. Proposals are made for the diagnostic evaluation of patients with postural hypotension and for steps to be taken in therapeutic management.