title: Orthostatic hypotension in healthy elderly: Is it a myth?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is common among older people and is more prevalent in elderly with various disorders and on medications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to know the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension in healthy geriatric subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group comprised of healthy non hypertensive, non diabetic elderly individuals aged 60 years and above (n=80) and another group, healthy aged 30 to 50 years age (n=80, mean age39.2±5.3). Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a decline in systolic/diastolic blood pressure of ≥20/10 mmHg when an individual changed from a supine to a standing position within 3 minutes of standing. Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure was measured in supine position and within 3 minutes of standing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1 out of 80 (1.25%) in the elderly subjects was found to have orthostatic hypotension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study concluded that the orthostatic hypotension is less prevalent in healthy elderly subjects without any illness or without on any medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal-576104, India.
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baliga
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Prabhu