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Current Pharmacological Management of Hypotensive Syndromes in the Elderly

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Abstract

Hypotensive syndromes are common among older adults. Symptomatic drop in blood pressure with standing, eating and head turning is very common in older adults. These conditions cause significant morbidity like dizziness, syncope and falls as well as a resultant decrease in function. Blood pressure dysregulation due to autonomic function abnormalities plays a role in causing these conditions. Non-pharmacological measures should be the first line of management, but it is not always sufficient for subjects with symptomatic hypotensive syndromes. Different medication groups have been shown to be useful. This article focuses mainly on the medication management of these conditions based on efficacy and tolerability evidence in the literature. Standard medication management recommendations based on evidence are lacking for many medications used in treating these hypotensive syndromes.

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No external funding was used in the preparation of this manuscript. The author has no potential conflict of interest that might be relevant to the contents of this review.

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  1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Kannayiram Alagiakrishnan

  2. University of Alberta Hospital, B139, Clinical Sciences Building, 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, T6G 2G3, Canada

    Kannayiram Alagiakrishnan

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  1. Kannayiram Alagiakrishnan
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Correspondence to Kannayiram Alagiakrishnan.

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Alagiakrishnan, K. Current Pharmacological Management of Hypotensive Syndromes in the Elderly. Drugs Aging 32, 337–348 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-015-0263-z

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