[Postprandial hypotension: an unclear clinical entity].
Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is a clinical entity considered to affect above all elderly people with hypertension. It is equally common in diastolic heart failure, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus and autonomic dysfunction. Diagnosis is based on a minimum of 20 mmHg drop of the systolic blood pressure oron a symptomatic systolic blood pressure decrease within 2 hours of the meal. Post-prandial dizziness, fatigue, syncope and falls must raise suspicion for this entity. Although more frequent than orthostatic hypotension, PPH is less searched for. Socio-economical repercussions associated to falls require a better screening of PPH in hospital and ambulatory conditions.
Samaras
D
D
Service de gériatrie, Département de rehabilitation et gériatrie, Hôpital de gériatrie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. samaras-dimitrios@diogenes.hcuge.ch
Carmona
G
G
Vischer
U
U
Perrenoud
J J
JJ
D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D019518:Postprandial Period