Patient/caregiver was educated upon risk factors and causes for orthostatic hypotension as follows:
- Sudden position change: When an individual is in a lying down position or sitting, the effect of gravity is not significant. When an individual changes the position suddenly, for example, assuming a standing position from prolonged sitting or a lying down position, gravity comes into play. Gravity tends to retain more blood volume in the veins and lower portions of the body and inhibits the movement of blood in upward direction, to head and brain. Pooling of more blood volume in the veins and lower portions of the body result in suddenly reduced blood volume in circulation and abrupt drop in the blood pressure numbers, resulting in orthostatic hypotension.
- Senior citizens: Compensatory responses to prevent sudden drop in blood pressure numbers could be poorly functional in senior citizens, putting them at risk for orthostatic hypotension.
- Nervous system disorders: Compensatory responses to prevent sudden drop in blood pressure numbers could be poorly functional in individuals with nervous system disorders, such as, Parkinson’s disease and diabetic neuropathy, putting them at risk for orthostatic hypotension.
