Orthostatic Hypotension

WHAT IS IT?

Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure > 20 mmHg when moving from lying down to standing. 

WHAT CAUSES IT?

 

WHY IS IT CONCERNING MEDICALLY?

 

WHAT IS THE INTIAL PRESENTATION?

Patient Chief Complaints:

 

Detected Medical Problems:

 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY?

Risk Factors:

  • Old age
  • Hypovolemia 
  • Autonomic neuropathy: from diabetes or Parkinson disease 
  • Medication usage: diuretics, vasodilators, adrenergic-blocking agents

Medical History:

 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL EXAM?

Vital Signs:

 

Other:

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: SERUM STUDIES

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: IMAGING

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: OTHER

 

HOW DO WE NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL?

Conditions that present similarly and how to exclude them:

 

WHAT IS OUR THRESHOLD FOR DIAGNOSING THIS CONDITION?

 

PATIENT MANAGMENT: SYMPTOM RELEIF

 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: DISEASE TREATMENT

 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES

 

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

 

ARCHIVE OF STANDARDIZED EXAM QUESTIONS 

This archive compiles standardized exam questions that relate to this topic.

 

Page Updated: 02.13.2017