The American journal of the medical sciences
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Orthostatic hypotension is a decrease in systolic blood pressure of more than 20 mm Hg or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mm Hg, within 3 minutes of changing from a supine to an upright position. The typical clinical presentation of orthostatic hypotension includes dizziness, syncope, blurry vision and loss of balance. ⋯ Thus, women less effectively compensate for the drop of blood pressure in response to positional change. An understanding of these mechanisms contributing to orthostatic hypotension may improve diagnosis and treatment of the problem.