— College of Allied Health Professions — Patient Safety — CAPTURE Falls — Roadmap — Fall Risk Reduction Interventions — Interventions to Reduce Fall Risk Related to Medication Use — Orthostatic Blood Pressure Monitoring

Orthostatic Blood Pressure Monitoring

Orthostatic hypotension is a form of low blood pressure that occurs when a patient transitions to a more upright position (e.g. sitting up after lying down). It can cause a patient to feel dizzy or lightheaded, or even faint, putting them at risk for a fall. It is easily assessed by measuring the patient’s blood pressure in various positions. Treatment hinges on determination of the underlying cause.

Orthostatic Education

Print Resources

Overview of Orthostatic Hypotension: Orthostatic Hypotension: Epidemiology, Prognosis, and Treatment, a review paper freely available from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology describes the etiology and prevalence of orthostatic hypotension, and provides diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms.

Orthostatic Tools

Orthostatic Blood Pressure Protocol: Tool 3F: Orthostatic Vital Sign Measurement in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Fall Prevention Toolkit describes a standardized process by which staff may identify orthostatic hypotension in patients.