Orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension in American veterans

Effects of 30-Day Midodrine Administration, Compared to Placebo, on Blood Pressure, Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity, and Cognitive Performance in Persons with SCI

Background

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) at and above T6 experience impaired descending cortical control of the autonomic nervous system, which predisposes them to blood pressure (BP) disorders including persistent hypotension.

Objectives

The primary aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of midodrine, 10 mg, administered daily over a 30-day period in the home environment, compared to placebo, on laboratory assessments of BP, cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv), and cognitive performance in hypotensive individuals with chronic SCI.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial was conducted in 15 individuals with tetraplegia. In the first 30-day period, five participants were randomized to midodrine and 10 were randomized to placebo; participants were then crossed over to the second 30-day period following a 14-day washout. Laboratory assessments of BP, CBFv, and cognitive performance were measured before and after each of the two study arms.

Results

Systolic BP (SBP) was significantly increased following midodrine administration compared to placebo (116 ± 23 mm Hg vs 94 ± 16 mm Hg; p = .002). In addition, diastolic CBFv was increased after midodrine administration compared to placebo (31.0 ± 11.2 vs 25.6 ± 9.1 cm/s; p = .04). However, there were no significant drug by time interaction effects for systolic or mean CBFv (p > .172) and cognitive performance (p = .689).

Conclusion

The results suggest significant increases in SBP and diastolic CBFv without appreciable effects on cognition after 30 days of midodrine administration. Further investigation is needed to identify effective antihypotensive treatment options that not only normalize BP but also improve CBFv and cognition.

Orthostatic Hypertension: A Newcomer Among the Hypertension Phenotypes

The prognostic role and the clinical significance of orthostatic hypertension (OHT) remained undefined for long because data were sparse and often inconsistent. In recent years, evidence has been accumulating that OHT is associated with an increased risk of masked and sustained hypertension, hypertension-mediated organ damage, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Most evidence came from studies in which OHT was defined using systolic blood pressure (BP) whereas the clinical relevance of diastolic OHT is still unclear. Recently, the American Autonomic Society and the Japanese Society of Hypertension defined OHT as an orthostatic systolic BP increase ≥20 mm Hg associated with a systolic BP of at least 140 mm Hg while standing. However, also smaller orthostatic BP increases have shown clinical relevance especially in people ≤45 years of age. A possible limitation of the BP response to standing is poor reproducibility. OHT concordance is better when the between-assessment interval is shorter, when OHT is evaluated using a larger number of BP readings, and if home BP measurement is used. The pathogenetic mechanisms leading to OHT are still controversial and may vary according to age. Excessive neurohumoral activation seems to be the main determinant in younger adults whereas vascular stiffness plays a more important role in older individuals. Conditions associated with higher activity of the sympathetic nervous system and/or baroreflex dysregulation, such as diabetes, essential hypertension, and aging have been found to be often associated with OHT. Measurement of orthostatic BP should be included in routine clinical practice especially in people with high-normal BP.

The association between orthostatic blood pressure changes and arterial stiffness

OBJECTIVE

Although orthostatic hypotension (OH) and orthostatic hypertension (OHT) can independently predict cardiovascular events, the underlying mechanisms remain controversial. Our study aimed to examine the relationships between orthostatic blood pressure (BP) changes and arterial stiffness.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional analysis, 1820 participants were divided into three groups according to BP changes within 3 min of orthostatism: the OH group had a decrease of >20 mmHg in SBP or >10 mmHg in DBP, the OHT group had an increase of ≥20 mmHg in SBP, and the orthostatic normotensive (ONT) group had normal changes. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV).

RESULTS

OH and OHT were observed in 257 (14.1%) and 62 (3.4%) participants, respectively. Subjects in the OH group were significantly older, were more likely to have hypertension and diabetes, and had higher cfPWV than those in the ONT group ( P  < 0.05); however, no differences were found between the ONT and OHT groups. Stepwise multiple regression analysis of the subgroups stratified by hypertension and diabetes revealed that age was related to increased cfPWV in all stratifications, and the change in SBP was significantly positively correlated with cfPWV in hypertensive subjects; however, this association was not observed in nonhypertensive subjects.

CONCLUSION

We found that arterial stiffness was closely related to OH but not to OHT. In addition to expanding current knowledge of the relationship between orthostatic BP changes and arterial stiffness, our study underlines the importance of age, SBP changes, and hypertension in evaluating arterial stiffness.

Faintly tired: a systematic review of fatigue in patients with orthostatic syncope

BACKGROUND

Orthostatic syncope (transient loss of conscious when standing-fainting) is common and negatively impacts quality of life. Many patients with syncope report experiencing fatigue, sometimes with "brain fog", which may further impact their quality of life, but the incidence and severity of fatigue in patients with syncope remain unclear. In this systematic review, we report evidence on the associations between fatigue and conditions of orthostatic syncope.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search of four academic databases to identify articles that evaluated the association between orthostatic syncope [postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), vasovagal syncope (VVS), orthostatic hypotension (OH)] and fatigue. Studies were independently screened using a multi-stage approach by two researchers to maintain consistency and limit bias.

RESULTS

Our initial search identified 2797 articles, of which 13 met our inclusion criteria (POTS n = 10; VVS n = 1; OH n = 1; VVS and POTS n = 1). Fatigue scores were significantly higher in patients with orthostatic syncope than healthy controls, and were particularly severe in those with POTS. Fatigue associated with orthostatic syncope disorders spanned multiple domains, with each dimension contributing equally to increased fatigue. "Brain fog" was an important symptom of POTS, negatively affecting productivity and cognition. Finally, fatigue was negatively associated with mental health in patients with POTS.

CONCLUSION

In conditions of orthostatic syncope, fatigue is prevalent and debilitating, especially in patients with POTS. The consideration of fatigue in patients with orthostatic disorders is essential to improve diagnosis and management of symptoms, thus improving quality of life for affected individuals.

Association between orthostatic blood pressure dysregulation and geriatric syndromes: a cross-sectional study

Background

Orthostatic blood pressure dysregulation, including orthostatic hypotension (OH) and orthostatic hypertension (OHT), is common in the elderly. The association between OH and, to a lesser extent, OHT with geriatric syndromes is controversial and little investigated.

Our objective was to assess the association between orthostatic blood pressure dysregulation and geriatric syndromes in an ambulatory outpatient population.

Methods

This observational study included all outpatients for whom a one-visit comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed during a year. OH was defined as a decrease of at least 20 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or 10 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after 1 or 3 min of standing. OHT was defined as an increase of more than 20 mmHg in SBP after 1 or 3 min of standing. Comorbidities, drugs regimen, a history of previous falls, nutritional, frailty, functional and cognitive status were compared between patients with OHT or OH and controls (NOR).

Results

Five hundred thirty patients (mean age: 82.9 ± 5.1 years) were included. 19.6% had an OH and 22.3% an OHT. OHT patients were more frequently female, had more diabetes and a lower resting SBP than patients with NOR. OH patients had a higher resting SBP than NOR. After adjusting for age, sex, resting SBP and diabetes, OHT was associated with a low walking speed (OR = 1.332[1.009–1.758]; p = 0.043) and severe cognitive impairment at MMSe score (OR = 1.629[1.070–1.956]; p = 0.016) compared to NOR. Conversely, OH was associated with a lower grip strength (p = 0.016) than NOR.

Conclusion

OHT and OH are common in elderly but associated with different geriatric phenotypes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02844-8.

Correlation of orthostatic hypotension with extracranial carotid and intracranial cerebral arteries atherosclerosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke under cerebral angiography

OBJECTIVE

The clinical management of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is complicated by orthostatic hypotension, which might have close relationship with the atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries. The primary objectives were to evaluate the relationship of orthostatic hypotension with extracranial carotid arteries atherosclerosis (ECAS) and intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) in AIS patients.

METHODS

This study was a prospective cohort analysis of consecutive AIS patients under cerebrovascular angiography. A total of 289 patients were included. orthostatic hypotension was defined as a systolic BP decline ≥20 mmHg or a diastolic BP decline ≥10 mmHg within 3 min of standing. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to investigate the association of the clinical variables with orthostatic hypotension.

RESULTS

Orthostatic hypotension was identified in 80 (27.7%) of all patients. ECAS (≥70%) and ICAS (≥50%) was found in 39 (13.5%) and 71 (24.6%) respectively. In multivariate analysis, only diabetes mellitus (odds ratio = 2.00, 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.58, P = 0.019) and ECAS (odds ratio = 1.97, 95% confidence interval, 1.54-2.51, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for orthostatic hypotension.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthostatic hypotension is a relatively common finding among patients with AIS. AIS patients should be screened for orthostatic hypotension, especially combined with severe ECAS and diabetes mellitus.

Too much of a good thing: a case report of traumatic drop attacks and syncope due to orthostatic hypertension

Background

Orthostatic hypertension (OHT) is the clinical opposite to orthostatic hypotension and is an under-recognized and poorly understood clinical phenomenon. Patients may experience disabling symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. In addition, OHT is associated with important clinical outcomes such as silent cerebral infarcts and cognitive decline.

Case summary

We present the case of a 67-year-old female who experienced frequent drop attacks with and without transient loss of consciousness causing various injuries. A range of standard diagnostic procedures did not yield an explanation for her symptoms but head-up tilt (HUT) testing showed OHT and induced most of her symptoms. Upon initiation of doxazosin, an alpha-blocking drug, she was free of symptoms and blood pressure response was normal on the repeat HUT test.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of syncope due to OHT. Orthostatic hypertension is a heterogeneous condition and may occur in young, otherwise healthy individuals but also in older patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. It is thought that symptoms occur because of excessive venous pooling (causing a drop in cardiac output) or adrenergic hypersensitivity (resulting in cerebral vasoconstriction or acute rise in cardiac afterload). Since our patient had a marked response to an alpha-blocking agent, we think baroreflex hypersensitivity is the most likely cause of her complaints. Though syncope is probably rare, OHT should be regarded as a possible explanation of orthostatic symptoms.

Prevalence of postural hypotension in primary, community and institutional care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Postural hypotension (PH), the reduction in blood pressure when rising from sitting or lying 0to standing, is a risk factor for falls, cognitive decline and mortality. However, it is not often tested for in primary care. PH prevalence varies according to definition, population, care setting and measurement method. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PH across different care settings and disease subgroups.

METHODS

Systematic review, meta-analyses and meta-regression. We searched Medline and Embase to October 2019 for studies based in primary, community or institutional care settings reporting PH prevalence. Data and study level demographics were extracted independently by two reviewers. Pooled estimates for mean PH prevalence were compared between care settings and disease subgroups using random effects meta-analyses. Predictors of PH were explored using meta-regression. Quality assessment was undertaken using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

One thousand eight hundred sixteen studies were identified; 61 contributed to analyses. Pooled prevalences for PH using the consensus definition were 17% (95% CI, 14-20%; I2 = 99%) for 34 community cohorts, 19% (15-25%; I2 = 98%) for 23 primary care cohorts and 31% (15-50%; I2 = 0%) for 3 residential care or nursing homes cohorts (P = 0.16 between groups). By condition, prevalences were 20% (16-23%; I2 = 98%) with hypertension (20 cohorts), 21% (16-26%; I2 = 92%) with diabetes (4 cohorts), 25% (18-33%; I2 = 88%) with Parkinson's disease (7 cohorts) and 29% (25-33%, I2 = 0%) with dementia (3 cohorts), compared to 14% (12-17%, I2 = 99%) without these conditions (P < 0.01 between groups). Multivariable meta-regression modelling identified increasing age and diabetes as predictors of PH (P < 0.01, P = 0.13, respectively; R2 = 36%). PH prevalence was not affected by blood pressure measurement device (P = 0.65) or sitting or supine resting position (P = 0.24), however, when the definition of PH did not fulfil the consensus description, but fell within its parameters, prevalence was underestimated (P = 0.01) irrespective of study quality (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

PH prevalence in populations relevant to primary care is substantial and the definition of PH used is important. Our findings emphasise the importance of considering checking for PH, particularly in vulnerable populations, to enable interventions to manage it. These data should contribute to future guidelines relevant to the detection and treatment of PH.

PROSPERO

CRD42017075423.

Postural blood pressure changes in the elderly: orthostatic hypotension and hypertension

Objectives

Orthostatic hypotension is a well-known disorder, but orthostatic hypertension (OHT) still remains unclear in older adults. The aim of this study was to determine the comparison orthostatic hypotension with OHT according to fall risk and geriatric assessment parameters.

Methods

A total of 741 patients who were admitted to the geriatric clinic and underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment were reviewed. Orthostatic blood pressure changes were measured by head-up-tilt Table test within the first three minutes. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as 20 or 10-mmHg drop in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure from supine to standing position. OHT was defined as an increase in systolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg or more while the patient was standing up from the supine position.

Results

The mean age was 75 ± 8 and 65. About 65% of all participants were female. The rate of orthostatic hypotension and OHT was 17.3 and 7.2%, respectively. The falls and dementia were more frequent, and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) score was lower in orthostatic hypotension group than in OHT and control groups (P < 0.05). These variables were similar between OHT and control groups (P > 0.05). The rates of falls [odds ratio (OR) = 2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), (0.94–4.33); P = 0.044] and dementia [OR = 2.65; 95% CI, (1.08–6.48); P = 0.032] in orthostatic hypotension group were still higher than in OHT group, even after adjusting for age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate and drugs.

Conclusion

Orthostatic hypotension may be more significant in terms of falls, dementia and impaired IADLs scores in older adults than in OHT and control groups. It seems that OHT may be of no clinical importance in geriatric practice.

Heart rate and blood pressure response improve the prediction of orthostatic cardiovascular dysregulation in persons with chronic spinal cord injury

Unstable blood pressure after spinal cord injury (SCI) is not routinely examined but rather predicted by level and completeness of injury (i.e., American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale AIS classification). Our aim was to investigate hemodynamic response to a sit-up test in a large cohort of individuals with chronic SCI to better understand cardiovascular function in this population. Continuous blood pressure and ECG were recorded from individuals with SCI (n = 159) and non-injured individuals (n = 48). We found orthostatic hypotension occurred within each level and AIS classification (n = 36). Moreover, 45 individuals with chronic SCI experienced a drop in blood pressure that did not meet the criteria for orthostatic hypotension, but was accompanied by dramatic increases in heart rate, reflecting orthostatic intolerance. A cluster analysis of hemodynamic response to a seated position identified eight distinct patterns of interaction between blood pressure and heart rate during orthostatic stress indicating varied autonomic responses. Algorithmic cluster analysis of heart rate and blood pressure is more sensitive to diagnosing orthostatic cardiovascular dysregulation. This indicates blood pressure instability cannot be predicted by level and completeness of SCI, and the consensus statement definition of orthostatic hypotension is insufficient to characterize the variability of blood pressure and heart rate responses during orthostatic stress. Both blood pressure and heart rate responses are needed to characterize autonomic function after SCI.

Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts autonomic circuits and impairs synchronistic functioning of the autonomic nervous system, leading to inadequate cardiovascular regulation. Individuals with SCI, particularly at or above the sixth thoracic vertebral level (T6), often have impaired regulation of sympathetic vasoconstriction of the peripheral vasculature and the splanchnic circulation, and diminished control of heart rate and cardiac output. In addition, impaired descending sympathetic control results in changes in circulating levels of plasma catecholamines, which can have a profound effect on cardiovascular function. Although individuals with lesions below T6 often have normal resting blood pressures, there is evidence of increases in resting heart rate and inadequate cardiovascular response to autonomic provocations such as the head-up tilt and cold face tests. This manuscript reviews the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders given the level, duration and severity of SCI, the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, short- and long-term consequences, and empirical evidence supporting management strategies to treat cardiovascular dysfunction following a SCI.

Epidural stimulation for cardiovascular function increases lower limb lean mass in individuals with chronic motor complete spinal cord injury

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Spinal cord injury results in paralysis and deleterious neuromuscular and autonomic adaptations. Lumbosacral epidural stimulation can modulate motor and/or autonomic functions. Does long-term epidural stimulation for normalizing cardiovascular function affect leg muscle properties? What is the main finding and its importance? Leg lean mass increased after long-term epidural stimulation for cardiovascular function, which was applied in the sitting position and did not activate the leg muscles. Leg muscle strength and fatigue resistance, assessed in a subgroup of individuals, also increased. These adaptations might support interventions for motor recovery and warrant further mechanistic investigation.

ABSTRACT

Chronic motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis and deleterious neuromuscular and autonomic adaptations. Paralysed muscles demonstrate atrophy, loss of force and increased fatigability. Also, SCI-induced autonomic impairment results in persistently low resting blood pressure and heart rate, among other features. We previously reported that spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) optimized for cardiovascular (CV) function (CV-scES), which is applied in sitting position and does not activate the leg muscles, can maintain systolic blood pressure within a normotensive range during quiet sitting and during orthostatic stress. In the present study, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry collected from six individuals with chronic clinically motor complete SCI demonstrated that 88 ± 11 sessions of CV-scES (7 days week^-1 ; 2 h day^-1 in four individuals and 5 h day^-1 in two individuals) over a period of ∼6 months significantly increased lower limb lean mass (by 0.67 ± 0.39 kg or 9.4 ± 8.1%; P < 0.001). Additionally, muscle strength and fatigability data elicited by neuromuscular electrical stimulation in three of these individuals demonstrated a general increase (57 ± 117%) in maximal torque output (between 2 and 44 N m in 14 of the 17 muscle groups tested overall) and torque-time integral during intermittent, fatiguing contractions (63 ± 71%; between 7 and 230% in 16 of the 17 muscle groups tested overall). In contrast, whole-body mass and composition did not change significantly. In conclusion, long-term use of CV-scES can have a significant impact on lower limb muscle properties after chronic motor complete SCI.

Feasibility and Determinants of Orthostatic Hypotension Self-measurement at Home in an Elderly Community-Dwelling Population

BACKGROUND

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) measurement reproducibility is poor. Our objectives were to assess feasibility of self-detection home-measured OH (HOH) and HOH determinants.

METHODS

Subjects older than 65 years, attending a geriatric outpatient clinic, able to understand the HOH protocol: 3 blood pressure (BP) measures after 5 minutes of seating and BP measures after 1 and 3 minutes of standing, each morning and evening for 3 consecutive days were lent a validated digital automatic sphygmomanometer. Reports containing at least 4 correct measurements were deemed a success. Factors associated with HOH were studied.

RESULTS

HOH feasibility was 82.8% (241 subjects) with no difference between participants who failed or succeeded. Among the 241 subjects (mean age (SD) = 78.0 (8.3) years old; 62.1% of women), 139 were free of HOH, 70 had 1 HOH episode and 32 had 2 or more HOH episodes. Hypertension, dementia, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and heart failure were found in 70.0%, 10.4%, 9.4%, 8.8%, and 3.4% of cases, respectively. Subjects were treated with antihypertensive, benzodiazepine, statin medication in 47.3%, 9.3%, 7.4% of cases, respectively, and 42.4% experienced polypharmacy. HOH episodes were associated with dementia (P = 0.01), presence of OH during the geriatric outpatient clinic assessment (P = 0.0002), statin therapy (P = 0.04), and polypharmacy (P = 0.0002). In multivariate analysis, benzodiazepine (OR (95% CI) = 2.59 (1.10-6.08) and statin medication (OR (95% CI) = 1.92 (1.10-3.33)) remained significantly associated with HOH.

CONCLUSIONS

HOH had a good feasibility and relevant determinants. A study to address the predictive value of HOH will be conducted.

Orthostatic blood pressure rise is associated with frailty in older patients

AIM

Orthostatic blood pressure (BP) can fall with reduced stroke volume and arterial elasticity. However, as the reason for orthostatic BP rise is unclear, we investigated the relationship of orthostatic BP rise with frailty in older patients.

METHODS

In 169 consecutive outpatients who visited the frailty clinic, we evaluated orthostatic BP and heart rate changes (i.e. in the sitting position, just after standing up, 1 min after standing and after sitting down). Frailty was evaluated using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

RESULTS

The mean age was 77.4 ± 6.9 years, and 29% of patients had frailty with a KCL score ≥8. The systolic BP declined in both groups, but patients with frailty experienced a smaller decrease just after standing (-0.2 ± 10.3 vs -6.2 ± 11.5, P = 0.001). During standing for 1 min, elevation of systolic BP was greater in patients with frailty than in those without (8.4 ± 11.6 mmHg vs 3.2 ± 11.2 mmHg, P = 0.009). The difference in elevation of systolic BP remained significant, even after adjusting for confounding factors including systolic BP before standing (P = 0.013). In particular, the KCL score for motor function was significantly correlated with an elevation of orthostatic systolic BP after standing for 1 min, even after controlling for systolic BP before standing and confounding factors (P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

The elevation of systolic BP after standing for 1 min was greater in patients with frailty as diagnosed by the KCL score, especially in relation to reduced motor function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 525-529.

Orthostatic hypertension in normotensive type 2 diabetics: What characteristics?

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to determine the prevalence of orthostatic hypertension (OHT) in normotensive, newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics, to assess clinical, biological characteristics of those patients and evaluate the evolution of their blood pressure, after one year of follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It is an observational, prospective, cohort study, on 108 normotensive, newly diagnosed diabetics, 40 men and 68 women aged from 40 to 70 ans. OHT was defined as an increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥20mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥10mmHg, after 1 and 2min of standing from supine position. Arterial hypertension and metabolic syndrome were respectively defined according to WHO and AHA 2009 guidelines. Clinical and biological data were collected for all patients. They had a screening for diabetic complications and a follow-up during one year. Statistical analysis was performed with Epi-Info 6.04.

RESULTS

We found OHT in 22 patients (20.4%). Patients with OHT had a higher SBP at lying position (P=0.029), a higher waist circumference (P=0.022) and LDL (P=0.041). They had more frequently obesity (P=0.036) left ventricular hypertrophy (P=0.024), metabolic syndrome (P=0.042) and cerebrovascular events (P=0.050) when compared with those with normal blood pressure response to orthostasis. One year after follow-up, the prevalence of permanent hypertension was significantly higher in the OHT group (P=0.0008).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that OHT is associated with insulin resistance syndrome and onset of sustained arterial hypertension in normotensive, newly diagnosed diabetics.

Abnormal orthostatic blood pressure control among subjects with lacunar infarction

Introduction

Hypertension is a recognised risk factor for lacunar stroke. However, their association has been evaluated using static blood pressure (BP) assessment in supine or sitting position alone. We hypothesised that impaired dynamic (orthostatic) BP control may associate with lacunar strokes.

Patients and methods

Consecutive subjects with mitral regurgitation (MR) confirmed, lacunar strokes were compared with two control groups. Firstly "normal", age and sex matched, population controls (1:3 ratio) and then 'at risk' controls matched for age, sex, hypertension history and antihypertensive medication (1:2 ratio). Orthostatic BP control was assessed by active stand tests with continuous, phasic, beat-to-beat BP measurement.

Findings

Thirty-six subjects (mean 69.9 years) were compared with 108 controls in group 1 and 72 in group 2. Prevalence of syncope was higher among those with lacunar stroke (cases: 44.4%, group 1: 17.6%, p = 0.003, group 2: 12.5%, p = 0.0004, Fisher's exact). Mean baseline systolic BP (SBP) was significantly higher in cases (cases: 150 mm Hg, group 1: 140 mm Hg, p = 0.03, group 2: 143 mm Hg, p = 0.1). Ten seconds after standing, SBP dropped significantly less in cases (cases: -14.1 mm Hg, group 1: -31.4 mm Hg, p < 0.0005, group 2: -27.3 mm Hg, p = 0.001, t test). Diastolic BP also fell significantly less in cases. Cases' SBP and DBP recovered to, then persistently overshot baseline levels.

Discussion and conclusion

Subjects with MR-defined lacunar stroke, of likely small vessel aetiology, exhibit orthostatic hypertension compared with population norms.

Diastolic orthostatic hypertension and cardiovascular prognosis in type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

In patients with type 2 diabetes, the prognostic impact of an orthostatic rise in blood pressure is not known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prognostic implications of the diastolic orthostatic blood pressure response in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes. We also evaluated associations between different orthostatic blood pressure responses and markers of subclinical cardiovascular organ damage.

METHODS

Office blood pressures were measured in the sitting and in the standing position in 749 patients with type 2 diabetes who participated in the CARDIPP study (Cardiovascular Risk factors in Patients with Diabetes-a Prospective study in Primary care). Diastolic orthostatic hypertension was defined as a rise of diastolic blood pressure ≥10 mmHg and diastolic orthostatic hypotension was defined as a drop of diastolic blood pressure ≥10 mmHg. Recruitment took place between the years 2005-2008, and patients were followed until any of the primary outcome events (cardiovascular death or hospitalization for either myocardial infarction or stroke) occurred or until December 31st, 2014. Measurements of aortic pulse wave velocity and of carotid intima-media thickness were performed at base-line.

RESULTS

Diastolic orthostatic hypertension was found in 140 patients (18.7 %) and was associated with significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events (crude hazard ratio compared with patients with normal systolic and diastolic orthostatic blood pressure response: 0.450, 95 % C.I. 0.206-0.987, P = 0.046). Diastolic orthostatic hypotension was found in 31 patients (4.1 %) and was associated with higher values for aortic pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness, compared with patients with normal systolic and diastolic orthostatic blood pressure response.

CONCLUSIONS

Diastolic orthostatic hypertension is common in patients with type 2 diabetes, and may be a novel marker for decreased cardiovascular risk in these patients.