What term describes a drop in blood pressure when standing?

What term describes a drop in blood pressure when standing?

• A. Orthostasis
• B. Hypotension
• C. Hypertension
• D. Orthostatic hypotension

Answer: (D)

When you stand, gravity pulls blood toward the legs, and the body normally tightens vessels and speeds up the heart to keep blood pressure stable. If that adjustment is inadequate, the result is a drop in blood pressure with standing—this specific change is called orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension is the term that describes the posture-related BP fall, not just low blood pressure in general (hypotension) or high blood pressure (hypertension). The act of standing itself is called orthostasis, but it doesn’t name the BP drop. Clinically, a drop of about 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within three minutes of standing defines orthostatic hypotension, and symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness often accompany it.

When you stand, gravity pulls blood toward the legs, and the body normally tightens vessels and speeds up the heart to keep blood pressure stable. If that adjustment is inadequate, the result is a drop in blood pressure with standing—this specific change is called orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension is the term that describes the posture-related BP fall, not just low blood pressure in general (hypotension) or high blood pressure (hypertension). The act of standing itself is called orthostasis, but it doesn’t name the BP drop. Clinically, a drop of about 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within three minutes of standing defines orthostatic hypotension, and symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness often accompany it.