[ORTHOSTATIC AND POSTPRANDIAL HYPOTENSION IN THE ELDERLY IN THE GERIATRIC WING]

We describe the incidence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and postprandial hypotension (PPH) in a population of elderly people.

Blood pressure was measured with the subjects lying in bed and after postural change to sitting. Blood pressure was also measured before and after breakfast. We examined the association between postprandial hypotension, caloric intake and the alertness of the subjects. A total of 101 residents of the Geriatric Ward in the Laniado Hospital were included in the study.

We found a significant change in blood pressure before and after food consumption (p≤0.001, T(65)=3.31(. Post prandial hypotension PPH was found in half of the patients. Overall, no significant postural change in blood pressure was found between lying and sitting (p>0.05) although orthostatic hypotension was found in 27% of the patients. No association was found between caloric intake, postprandial hypotension and the level of alertness.

The high prevalence of OH and PPH in the elderly requires strict blood pressure surveillance with appropriate and timely adjustment of drug therapy.