Patient/caregiver was educated upon complications of orthostatic hypotension as follows:
- Increased pooling of blood in the lower portions of the body, with reduced blood and oxygen supply to heart muscle can result in chest pain and discomfort. In severe cases, individuals can even present with an episode of myocardial infarction or heart attack, damaging the heart muscle further. Progressive damage to heart muscle with unresolving hypotension can lead to arrhythmias and heart failure.
- Unresolved orthostatic hypotension and progressively reduced blood supply to the kidneys can result in diminishing urine output, increased fluid and waste retention, and slow deterioration of renal function.
- Increased pooling of blood in the lower portions of the body, with reduced circulating blood volume can result in reduced blood supply to the muscle, thus leading to muscle pain, fatigue, and reduced endurance to activity.
- Low circulating blood volume can contribute to increased thickening of blood. This can result in increased risk for clot formation and DVT.
