Patient/caregiver was educated upon life-style measures for individuals with history of orthostatic hypotension as follows:
- Orthostatic hypotensive patients with history of coexisting heart failure must report to the physician regarding any signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure, such as, exacerbation of SOB, worsening pedal edema, increasing dizziness, acute weight gain, fatigue, and poorly felt pulse. Observe compliance with recommendations for heart healthy diet and fluid volume intake limitations, if any.
- Poorly controlled orthostatic hypotension with reduced circulating blood volume can result in progressively reduced blood supply to the kidneys. This can lead to diminishing urine output, increased fluid and waste retention, and slow deterioration of renal function. Report to your physician regarding any progressively decreasing volume of urine output and other signs of renal failure, such as, excessive fluid retention, acute weight gain, and increased confusion and dizziness due to waste retention.
- Hypotension and reduced blood supply to brain & skeletal muscle can result in increased confusion, frequency of dizzy episodes, muscle pain, fatigue, and reduced endurance to activity, thus contributing to falls and accidents. Observe compliance with use of assistive device for fall and accident prevention. Seek therapy assistance for planned and safe execution of activities. Always, seek for caregiver assistance, as needed.
