What is orthostatic hypotension?

What is orthostatic hypotension?

• A. A drop in blood pressure when standing, causing dizziness
• B. A rapid heart rate while lying down
• C. High blood pressure upon standing
• D. A sudden fever when standing

Answer: (A)

Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when you stand, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness due to reduced blood flow to the brain. When you stand, gravity pulls blood toward the legs; normally the autonomic nervous system quickly constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate to keep blood pressure steady. If that response is blunted or delayed, the blood pressure falls after standing, causing lightheadedness or faintness. The other statements describe unrelated situations—rapid heart rate while lying down, high blood pressure upon standing, or a fever when standing—so they don’t capture the hallmark drop in blood pressure with standing.

Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when you stand, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness due to reduced blood flow to the brain. When you stand, gravity pulls blood toward the legs; normally the autonomic nervous system quickly constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate to keep blood pressure steady. If that response is blunted or delayed, the blood pressure falls after standing, causing lightheadedness or faintness. The other statements describe unrelated situations—rapid heart rate while lying down, high blood pressure upon standing, or a fever when standing—so they don’t capture the hallmark drop in blood pressure with standing.