title: Syncope in elderly patients. Why their risk is higher.
abstract: The elderly are at increased risk for syncope not only because of physiologic changes due to aging but also because they have a higher incidence of chronic illness and use a greater number of medications that may cause orthostatic hypotension. Although evaluation should emphasize cardiovascular and neurologic components, the cause may remain elusive in as many as 50% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bonema
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Maddens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013575:Syncope / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology