Patient/caregiver was educated upon life-style measures for individuals with history of orthostatic hypotension as follows:
- Individuals with history of hypotension immediately after meal, should lay down after meals, to avoid any falls and accidents. Avoid taking any antihypertensive medications before meals, as this could significantly increase the risk for hypotension. Avoid having a heavy meal. More food in the stomach could increase risk for hypotension, as it could result in more amount of blood getting directed to the gut, to help digestion and absorption. Eating small and multiple meals with low carbohydrates on the meal may help manage this situation better.
- Lack of physical exercise and deconditioning of muscle leads to excessive pooling of blood in the large veins of lower extremities. Mild to moderate exercise, as endurance allows, can improve the muscle conditioning, prevent blood pooling, and promote better blood return to the heart, thus decreasing the chances for sudden drop in blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension. Drink fluid liberally during periods of physical activity, as physical activity can increase the fluid demands accordingly.
- Avoid crossing the legs during sitting, as this posture can obstruct blood return from the legs to the heart and retain more blood volume in the legs, thus contributing to symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.
