Patient/caregiver was educated upon complications of orthostatic hypotension as follows:
- Low blood pressure and reduced blood supply to the upper portions of the body, head & neck, and brain can contribute to altered level of consciousness, dizziness, confusion, reduced concentration, frequent blackouts, and blurred vision. Severely compromised blood supply to the brain can result in dangerous consequences, such as, stroke and coma.
- Increased confusion and altered levels of consciousness can steeply increase risk for falls and accidents.
- Increased pooling of blood in the lower portions of the body, in individuals with history of orthostatic hypotension, can reduce the circulating blood volume. This can compromise blood supply to vital organs, thus resulting in poor oxygen and nutrient delivery to vital organs. Progressively reduced blood supply to vital organs and tissues, such as, brain, heart, lung, muscle, and kidneys, can result in deterioration of their overall function and failure.
- Hypotension and reduced blood and oxygen supply to the lungs can result in poor gas exchange in the lungs, reduced oxygen pick-up, contributing to increased dyspnea and SOB.
