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. 1994 Sep;70(827):638–642. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.70.827.638

Clinical presentation of orthostatic hypotension in the elderly.

G M Craig 1
PMCID: PMC2397742  PMID: 7971628

Abstract

Fifty cases of orthostatic hypotension in the elderly are analysed. Three main modes of presentation were identified: (1) falls or mobility problems; (2) mental confusion or dementia; or (3) predominantly cardiac symptoms. Selected case histories are given to illustrate diagnostic difficulties. Medication was responsible for orthostatic hypotension in 66% of patients and striking examples of polypharmacy were encountered. However, 34% of cases were not iatrogenic. Only 14% of patients had overtly postural symptoms. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose orthostatic hypotension in the elderly and the condition is often overlooked. The paper provides useful diagnostic clues for clinicians.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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