Some diseases can also cause postural hypotension. These include: Postural hypotension is more common in people who take medications to control high blood pressure (hypertension). It can also be related to pregnancy, strong emotions, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or diabetes. The elderly are particularly affected, especially those who suffer from high blood pressure or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Sudden drops in blood pressure can be life-threatening. Causes of this type of hypotension include: Postural hypotension, which is low blood pressure when you suddenly get up, can happen to anyone for various reasons, such as dehydration, lack of food, or excessive fatigue. It can also be affected by genetic makeup, aging, medications, dietary and psychological factors, and acute triggers such as infections and allergies. The cause of low blood pressure is not always clear. It can be associated with the following: Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure (less than 90/60). Chronic low blood pressure without symptoms is almost never severe. But health problems can occur when blood pressure drops suddenly and the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply. This can lead to dizziness or drowsiness.

Sudden drops in blood pressure most often occur in someone who moves from lying or sitting to standing. This type of low blood pressure is called postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension. Another type of low blood pressure can occur when someone remains standing for a long time. This is called neuronally mediated hypotension. The optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 (systolic/diastolic). In healthy people, low blood pressure without symptoms is usually not a problem and does not need to be treated. But low blood pressure can be a sign of an underlying problem — especially in the elderly — where it can lead to insufficient blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. A blood pressure reading is displayed in the form of two digits. The first and higher of the two is a measure of systolic pressure, or pressure in the arteries, when the heart beats and fills them with blood. The second number measures diastolic pressure, or pressure in the arteries, when the heart rests between beats. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: "What is hypotension?" Hypotension after meals is a common cause of dizziness and falls after eating.

This is more common after large meals that contain a lot of carbohydrates. It is believed to be caused by the accumulation of blood in the vessels of the stomach and intestines. Common causes of natural postural hypotension include: Postural hypotension is considered a failure of the cardiovascular or nervous system to respond appropriately to sudden changes. Usually, when you get up, blood builds up in your lower limbs. Uncorrected, this would lead to a drop in your blood pressure. But your body usually compensates by sending messages to your heart to beat faster and to your blood vessels to contract. This compensates for the drop in blood pressure. If this does not happen or happens too slowly, postural hypotension occurs, which can lead to fainting. Libby, P and Bonow, R.

Braunwald`s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, Saunders, 2007. Several medications are often associated with postural hypotension. These drugs can be divided into two main categories: the risk of low and high blood pressure usually increases with age, which is partly due to normal changes during aging. In addition, blood flow to the heart muscle and brain decreases with age, often due to the formation of plaque in the blood vessels. It is estimated that 10% to 20% of people over the age of 65 suffer from postural hypotension. .