Orthostatic hypotension

Q: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of at least _____________ mmHg on standing. - Select one

A) 10 mmHg

B) 20 mmHg

Answer: B

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is quantitatively defined as a drop of at least

• 20 mmHg of systolic blood pressure, or
• 10 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure

Within the first three minutes of standing. 

The same definition applies to head-up tilt on a tilt table test. Postprandial hypotension (PH) and neurogenic OH (nOH) are variants of orthostatic hypotension.

#hemodynamic

References:

1. Wieling W, Kaufmann H, Claydon VE, van Wijnen VK, Harms MPM, Juraschek SP, Thijs RD. Diagnosis and treatment of orthostatic hypotension. Lancet Neurol. 2022 Aug;21(8):735-746. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00169-7. PMID: 35841911; PMCID: PMC10024337.

2. Ringer M, Hashmi MF, Lappin SL. Orthostatic Hypotension. 2025 Jan 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 28846238.

3. Bradley JG, Davis KA. Orthostatic hypotension. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Dec 15;68(12):2393-8. PMID: 14705758.