[Changes in arterial pressure in the postprandial period in the elderly]

The repercussions of food intake on blood pressure may account for certain malaises which occur after meals in elderly people. In this study, blood pressure and heart rate were measured during and after a meal in 39 elderly hospital patients divided into two groups depending on whether or not they were taking drugs likely to act on arterial blood pressure. The patients were compared with two groups of controls: 29 young adults examined after a meal and 16 elderly subjects examined at a distance from meals. A significant fall in blood pressure starting 18 minutes after the meal and without concomitant increase in heart rate, was observed in the 2 groups of elderly patients. No significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate were observed in the 2 control groups. In elderly people, food intake might act on blood pressure through entrapment of blood in splanchnic territories and/or through alteration of baroreceptors.