Orthostatic Blood Pressure Changes Research Articles

Influence of orthostatic blood pressure changes on the effects of intensive blood pressure control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background Intensive blood pressure (BP) control has been proven to reduce the risks of major cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (1). Excessive orthostatic BP changes should be fully addressed, given its high prevalence and associations with adverse events among T2DM patients (2-5). However, the benefits of intensive BP control among T2DM patients with significant orthostatic BP changes have been equivocal. Purpose To examine whether orthostatic BP changes modify the efficacy of intensive BP control on CVD outcomes in patients with T2DM. Methods The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Blood Pressure trial (ACCORD BP) is a 2×2 factorial designed trial that aimed to evaluate the effects of intensive glycemia and BP control on major CVD events among T2DM patients (6). We enrolled participants with at least one record of orthostatic BP values for analysis. The composite CVD outcome in this study comprised cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and hospitalized congestive heart failure. Associations between orthostatic BP changes and the composite CVD outcome and all-cause death, respectively, were presented by restricted cubic spline curves based on multivariable Cox models. We examined if the effects of intensive BP control varied across the orthostatic BP change for the composite CVD outcome and all-cause death. Results Among 4330 participants, 877 (20.3%) experienced episodes of orthostatic hypotension (OH) at baseline or during follow-up. There was no significant difference in the proportions of OH participants between the intensive and standard BP arms. U-shaped associations were observed between orthostatic systolic BP changes and the composite CVD outcome, as well as all-cause mortality (Figure 1). In the standard glycemia arm, intensive BP control was significantly associated with a lower risk of composite CVD outcome (HR 0.76, 95%CI 0.59-0.97). There was a beneficial association of intensive BP control with all-cause mortality without statistical significance (HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.56-1.30). The favorable effect of intensive BP control was not influenced by orthostatic BP changes (P for interaction 0.51 for the composite CVD outcome and 0.97 for all-cause mortality) (Figure 2). Beneficial effects of intensive BP control were not observed for participants in the intensive glycemia arm on the composite CVD outcome (HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.76-1.28) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.19, 0.79-1.80). Conclusion Orthostatic BP changes should not be a barrier to intensive BP control for T2DM patients treated with guideline-recommended standard glycemia control.

Orthostatic blood pressure changes and incident atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension: Insights from the SPRINT trial

Abstract Background Exaggerated orthostatic changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) were associated with adverse cardiovascular events. However, the predictive role of SBP hyperactivity to standing on incident atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. Purpose We aim to assess the association between orthostatic SBP changes and incident AF. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis of SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), a randomized controlled trial comparing intensive (<120 mm Hg) and standard (<140 mm Hg) SBP interventions in participants with hypertension. Participants with standing SBP <110 mm Hg were not eligible for randomization according to the SPRINT protocol. Participants without AF who had seated and standing SBP measurements at baseline and available baseline or follow-up ECG were included in this analysis. Orthostatic SBP changes were defined as standing SBP minus seated SBP. Patients were grouped into tertiles of orthostatic SBP changes. AF was ascertained from the standard 12-lead ECG obtained at baseline, year 2, year 4, a close-out visit, and any visit when suspected of serious adverse events. We used Cox proportional regression models and restricted spline curves to assess the association of orthostatic SBP changes with incident AF. Results Among 8,455 participants included in this analysis, 327 incident AF cases occurred during follow-up. The restricted spline curve depicted a U-shaped relationship between orthostatic SBP changes and incident AF in the unadjusted model (P for nonlinearity = 0.012) (Figure 1). After adjusting for age, female, race, smoking, alcohol use, history of cardiovascular disease, history of chronic kidney disease, and body mass index, a SBP increase ≥ 6 mm Hg to standing was independently associated with a 43% higher risk of incident AF (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.07-1.90; P = 0.014) compared to nonsignificant orthostatic SBP changes (>-4 mm Hg to <6 mm Hg). A SBP decrease ≥ 4 mm Hg to standing showed a nonsignificant higher risk of developing AF compared to SBP changes of >-4 mm Hg to <6 mm Hg (Figure 2). In subgroup analysis, the results presented a similar tendency to the main result. Sensitivity analyses also generated consistent results while additionally adjusting for seated and standing blood pressure or heart rate. Conclusion In this post hoc analysis of the SPRINT trial, exaggerated SBP increase to standing independently predicts incident AF.Figure 1Figure 2

Abstract P156: Timing of Orthostatic Blood Pressure Changes is Associated with Orthostatic Symptoms in Very Old Adults: Findings from the ARIC Study.

Background: The timing of orthostatic changes in blood pressure (BP) and their associations with orthostatic symptoms among very old adults is undercharacterized. Objective: To determine the prevalence of distinct orthostatic BP patterns and their relationships with orthostatic symptoms. Methods: We measured three supine and six standing BP readings (timed at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes after standing) among ARIC participants (2021-2023). OH patterns (primary, initial, early, delayed, and sustained) were based on when a drop in BP (systolic ≥20 or diastolic ≥10 mmHg) occurred (see Figure for definitions). We quantified OH prevalence overall and by anti-hypertensive medication use and determined the associations of OH patterns with orthostatic symptoms, both concurrent with positional change and in the prior 30-days via logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, and Black race. Results: Of 1,044 participants (58.8% female, 16.5% Black, mean age 83.9±3.7 years), 24.5% had primary OH. Initial and early OH were more common than sustained and delayed OH. Participants using any hypertension medications had a higher prevalence of most types of OH ( Panel 1 ). Primary, early, and sustained OH were associated with orthostatic symptoms during the rise from supine to standing or when standing, while initial OH was associated with orthostatic symptoms only during the rise from supine to standing ( Panel 2 ). Sustained OH was associated with higher odds of prior light-headedness or dizziness and early OH with higher odds of prior imbalance. Conclusion: Clinicians should consider timing of BP changes when screening for OH and evaluating its contribution to orthostatic symptoms among very old adults.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ORTHOSTATIC HYPERTENSION AND FRAILTY AMONG OLDER PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Objective: Frailty frequently co-exists with hypertension in older patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between frailty and positional change in blood pressure, especially orthostatic hypertension. Design and method: Participants were recruited from 12 University hospitals in South Korea. Using a digital device, trained research nurses measured blood pressure in the supine and standing positions. Physical frailty was evaluated using the Korean version of the FRAIL questionnaire, gait speed, and hand-grip strength. Orthostatic hypertension was defined as a >= 20-mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure within 3 min of standing and upright systolic blood pressure of >= 140 mmHg. Results: We analyzed the data of 2,065 participants who had been enrolled until December 31, 2022. The mean age was 73.2 ± 5.6 years and 52.0% were female. The mean blood pressure was 137.1 ± 14.9 / 75.1 ± 9.7 mmHg. Among the participants, 1,886 (91.3%) showed normal response after standing, but 94 (4.6%) had orthostatic hypertension, and 85 (4.1%) had orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypertension was associated with female sex, obesity, cognitive function, physical frailty, and lower quality of life (QOL). In the multivariable analysis, body mass index and frailty status were independently associated with orthostatic hypertension. Conclusions: Orthostatic hypertension is associated with physical frailty, cognitive impairment, and low QOL in older patients with hypertension. Therefore, evaluation of orthostatic blood pressure changes to confirm orthostatic hypertension or hypotension in frail older adults will serve as an important diagnostic procedure in vulnerable patients. Further studies are required to identify the underlying mechanisms of this association.

Association Between Orthostatic Hypertension and Frailty Among Older Patients With Hypertension.

Frailty frequently coexists with hypertension in older patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between frailty and positional change in blood pressure, especially orthostatic hypertension. Participants were recruited from 12 University hospitals in South Korea. Using a digital device, trained research nurses measured blood pressure in the supine and standing positions. Physical frailty was evaluated using the Korean version of the FRAIL questionnaire, gait speed, and handgrip strength. Orthostatic hypertension was defined as a ≥20-mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure within 3 minutes of standing and upright systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mm Hg. We analyzed the data of 2065 participants who had been enrolled until December 31, 2022. The mean age was 73.2±5.6 years, and 52.0% were female. The mean blood pressure was 137.1±14.9/75.1±9.7 mm Hg. Among the participants, 1886 (91.3%) showed normal response after standing, but 94 (4.6%) had orthostatic hypertension, and 85 (4.1%) had orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypertension was associated with female sex, obesity, cognitive function, physical frailty, and lower quality of life. In the multivariable analysis, body mass index and frailty status were independently associated with orthostatic hypertension. Orthostatic hypertension is associated with physical frailty, cognitive impairment, and low quality of life in older patients with hypertension. Therefore, evaluation of orthostatic blood pressure changes to confirm orthostatic hypertension or hypotension in frail older adults will serve as an important diagnostic procedure in vulnerable patients. Further studies are required to identify the underlying mechanisms of this association.

Chronotropic Incompetence During Exercise Testing as a Marker of Autonomic Dysfunction in Individuals with Early Parkinson's Disease.

An attenuated heart rate response to exercise, termed chronotropic incompetence, has been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD). Chronotropic incompetence may be a marker of autonomic dysfunction and a cause of exercise intolerance in early stages of PD. To investigate the relationship between chronotropic incompetence, orthostatic blood pressure change (supine - standing), and exercise performance (maximal oxygen consumption, VO2peak) in individuals with early PD within 5 years of diagnosis not on dopaminergic medications. We performed secondary analyses of heart rate and blood pressure data from the Study in Parkinson's Disease of Exercise (SPARX). 128 individuals were enrolled into SPARX (63.7±9.3 years; 57.0% male, 0.4 years since diagnosis [median]). 103 individuals were not taking chronotropic medications, of which 90 had a normal maximal heart rate response to exercise testing (155.3±14.0 bpm; PDnon-chrono) and 13 showed evidence of chronotropic incompetence (121.3±11.3 bpm; PDchrono, p < 0.05). PDchrono had decreased VO2peak compared to PDnon-chrono (19.7±4.5 mL/kg/min and 24.3±5.8 mL/kg/min, respectively, p = 0.027). There was a positive correlation between peak heart rate during exercise and the change in systolic blood pressure from supine to standing (r = 0.365, p < 0.001). A subgroup of individuals with early PD not on dopaminergic medication had chronotropic incompetence and decreased VO2peak, which may be related to autonomic dysfunction. Evaluation of both heart rate responses to incremental exercise and orthostatic vital signs may serve as biomarkers of early autonomic impairment and guide treatment. Further studies should investigate whether cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction affects the ability to exercise and whether exercise training improves autonomic dysfunction.

Orthostatic blood pressure changes do not influence cognitive outcomes following intensive blood pressure control.

Effects of intensive blood pressure (BP) control on cognitive outcomes in patients with excess orthostatic BP changes are unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether orthostatic BP changes modified the effects of BP intervention on cognitive impairment. We analyzed 8547 participants from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial Memory and cognition IN Decreased Hypertension. Associations between orthostatic BP changes and incident cognitive outcomes were evaluated by restricted cubic spline curves based on Cox models. The interactions between orthostatic BP changes and intensive BP intervention were assessed. The U-shaped associations were observed between baseline orthostatic systolic BP changes and cognitive outcomes. However, there were insignificant interactions between either change in orthostatic systolic BP (P for interaction=0.81) or diastolic BP (P for interaction=0.32) and intensive BP intervention for the composite outcome of probable dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The hazard ratio of intensive versus standard target for the composite cognitive outcome was 0.82 (95% CI 0.50-1.35) in those with an orthostatic systolic BP reduction of >20mmHg and 0.41 (95% CI 0.21-0.80) in those with an orthostatic systolic BP increase of >20mmHg. Results were similar for probable dementia and MCI. The annual changes in global cerebral blood flow (P for interaction=0.86) consistently favored intensive BP treatment across orthostatic systolic BP changes. Intensive BP control did not have a deteriorating effect on cognitive outcomes among hypertensive patients experiencing significant postural BP changes.

Prospective association of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with orthostatic blood pressure changes in older adults

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is common in older people. We examined the influence of self-reported occupational-related physical activity (PA) and leisure-time physical exercise (PE) on orthostatic response in a sample of older people over a 2 year period. Supine and orthostatic systolic blood pressure (sBP), diastolic blood pressure (dBP), and mean blood pressure (mBP) were assessed in response to Active Stand (AS) test in 205 older subjects (> 60 years old) at baseline and 2-year follow-up. OH was found in 24 subjects (11.71%) at baseline and 20 subjects (9.76%) after 2 years, with a significant degree of variability in the occurrence of OH after 2 years. Twenty-two subjects who had OH at baseline were free of it after 2 years, two subjects had persistent OH at baseline and after 2 years. After 2 years, adults with occupational PA showed no significant decrease of blood pressure in response to AS test, while lack of undertaking an occupation-related PA was significantly related with a greater decrease in sBP and mBP in response to AS testing in the 1st min. Occupation-related PA and leisure-time-related PE were related to an increase in the response of BP on AS in change between baseline and after 2 years. High between-subjects variance in OH over 2 years was noted. Occupations that involved continuous physical activity and leisure-time physical exercise in middle age were both protective for BP decline on orthostatic stress test within 2 years.

Abstract 16573: Orthostatic Blood Pressure Changes and Cognitive Function: Insights From the SPRINT MIND Trial

Introduction: The association between orthostatic blood pressure (BP) changes and cognitive function has not been thoroughly investigated. Moreover, whether orthostatic hypotension or hypertension modifies the effects of intensive BP control on cognitive outcomes is unknown. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that orthostatic BP changes were associated with cognitive function and the effects of intensive BP control on cognitive outcomes might be different among individuals with/without orthostatic hypotension or hypertension. Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of SPRINT MIND, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of intensive vs. standard SBP control on cognitive outcomes in hypertensive patients. The relationships between baseline orthostatic BP changes (defined as baseline standing systolic BP [SBP]–baseline seated SBP) and probable dementia (PD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were analyzed. The competing risk proportional hazards regression and cubic spline regression were used in analysis. Results: A total of 8547 participants (mean [SD] age, 67.9 [9.3] years; 5543 [64.9] men) were included in this analysis. In the crude model, the restricted cubic spline analysis showed L-shaped associations between orthostatic SBP change and new-onset PD and MCI (all P for nonlinearity&lt;0.05). However, these associations all disappeared after adjustment for covariates. Moreover, orthostatic diastolic BP change was not associated with the PD or MCI incidence. Intensive BP control did not alter the risk of PD or MCI in patients with/without orthostatic hypotension or hypertension. Conclusions: Orthostatic BP changes were not associated with the risk of PD or MCI; baseline orthostatic hypotension or hypertension did not influence the effects of intensive BP control on cognitive outcomes. These results are hypothesis-generating and merit further study.

Orthostatic Blood Pressure Change, Dizziness, and Risk of Dementia in the ARIC Study.

Abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (BP) regulation may result in cerebral hypoperfusion and brain ischemia and contribute to dementia. It may also manifest as early symptoms of the neurodegenerative process associated with dementia. The relationship between the magnitude and timing of orthostatic BP responses and dementia risk is not fully understood. We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of the associations of orthostatic BP changes and self-reported orthostatic dizziness with the risk of dementia in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (ARIC). We calculated changes in BP from the supine to the standing position at 5 measurements taken within 2 minutes after standing during the baseline visit (1987-1989). The primary outcome was adjudicated dementia ascertained through 2019. Among 11 644 participants (mean [SD] age, 54.5 [5.7] years; 54.1% women; 25.9% Black), 2303 dementia cases were identified during a median follow-up of 25.9 years. Large decreases in systolic BP from the supine to standing position measured at the first 2 measurements ≈30 and 50 seconds after standing, but not afterward, were associated with orthostatic dizziness and a higher risk of dementia. Comparing a decrease in systolic BP of ≤-20 or >-20 to -10 mm Hg to stable systolic BP (>-10 to 10 mm Hg) at the first measurement, the adjusted hazard ratios were 1.22 (95% CI, 1.01-1.47) and 1.10 (95% CI, 0.97-1.25), respectively. Abnormal orthostatic BP regulation, especially abrupt drops in BP within the first minute, might be early risk markers for the development of dementia. Transient early orthostatic hypotension warrants more attention in clinical settings.

Antihypertensive medication class and diastolic orthostatic hypertension in older Caribbean adult patients.

In the Caribbean there is limited data on orthostatic hypertension (OHT) in elderly hypertensive patients with atherosclerotic disease who are at risk for cardiovascular events. The authors examined the association of antihypertensive classes of drugs with diastolic OHT in patients 60year and older with hypertension and hyperlipidemia attending public primary care facilities. These relationships were evaluated in a cross-sectional study of hypertensive hyperlipidemic older patients (n=400) to determine orthostatic changes in blood pressure based on seated to standing measurements. OHT was defined as an increase in systolic blood pressure of ≥20mm Hg and/or increase in diastolic blood pressure of ≥10mm Hg upon orthostasis at 3min. Patients were categorized based on their orthostatic blood pressure response: orthostatic normotensive (n=200) and blood pressure dysregulated (n=200) of which 168 were diastolic OHT. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations of antihypertensive classes and diastolic OHT. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) blockers were the most commonly prescribed (79.3%), followed by diuretics (DIUs) (61.6%), dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (dCCBs) (53.8%), and beta-blockers (BBs) (19.3%). Most normotensive (76.0%) and diastolic OHT (75.0%) patients were prescribed two or more antihypertensive medications. Pharmaceutical prescription of triple combination RAAS blockers+dCCBs+DIUs (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99) or RAAS blockers+dCCBs+BBs (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.06-0.92) showed a protective effect of diastolic OHT in analyses adjusted for age, sex, sitting diastolic blood pressure, and comorbidities. Our study suggests prescription of triple combination antihypertensive drugs of RAAS blockers+dCCBs+DIUs or RAAS blockers+dCCBs+BBs may reduce the likelihood of diastolic OHT.

Can sitting and lying blood pressure measurements be considered interchangeable in older frail adults?

To compare blood pressure (BP) values in the lying and sitting positions, and the effect of orthostatism when moving from each of these positions to the upright position in a geriatric population with various frailty levels. In two sub-studies, we included a total of 157 consecutive patients, aged 75+ admitted to the Geriatric Department of Nancy University Hospital. BP and heart rate were sequentially measured three times in 1-min intervals each in lying, sitting and upright positions (Protocol#1, n = 107) or lying and upright positions (Protocol#2, n = 50) with an automatic validated Blood Pressure device. Patients were classified into two increasing frailty status (FS) categories: Low/Moderate (L/M-FS, n = 98) and High (H-FS, n = 59). BP levels were similar in the lying and sitting positions (Protocol#1, SBP 141 ± 22mmHg vs. 142 ± 21mmHg, respectively, and DBP 72 ± 12mmHg vs. 72 ± 12mmHg, respectively) in both frailty groups. In the H-FS, orthostatic drop of SBP was more pronounced from the lying (22.1 ± 5.8mmHg, Protocol#2) as compared to the sitting to upright position (9.4 ± 1.9mmHg, Protocol#1) (p < 0.008), and the same trend was observed for DBP. No such differences were observed in the L-M/FS frailty individuals. Orthostatic BP changes are more pronounced in the frailest patients when going from lying to the upright position than from the sitting to the upright position. Consequently, in these individuals, lying and sitting BP measurements cannot be interchangeable baseline positions to investigate orthostatic BP effects, and therefore, precise patient positioning should be specified when referring to "baseline BP measurements".

Relationship between orthostatic blood pressure changes and intensive blood pressure management in patients with hypertension

IntroductionThe Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) demonstrated that closely controlling blood pressure (BP) could decrease cardiovascular outcome risk without increasing the orthostatic hypotension rate. We aimed to evaluate the...

Orthostatic hypotension and night-time dipper patterns in geriatric outpatients

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) and blood pressure circadian dysfunctions are common in older adults and may be related to aging-related autonomic nervous system deficits. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between orthostatic and nocturnal blood pressure changes in geriatric outpatients. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 425 Italian individuals aged ≥65 years (mean age 75.8 ± 7.1 years) who attended a hypertension outpatient clinic from January 2013 to January 2020. Each patient underwent orthostatic testing and noninvasive 24-h blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). OH was detected in 38.1% of patients, and these individuals were more likely to have abnormal circadian blood pressure patterns (reverse and nondipper) than those without OH (61.7% vs. 51.7%; p = 0.045). In linear regression, after adjusting for potential confounders, orthostatic and nocturnal changes in systolic blood pressure were inversely associated (β = -0.63, 95% CI [-0.95; -0.32]; p < 0.001). This association was stronger in patients ≥80 years. OH is highly prevalent in older patients and is associated with altered nocturnal blood pressure profiles, especially in the oldest old. Because both OH and altered blood pressure patterns are associated with elevated cardiovascular risk and mortality, our study suggests that elderly patients with OH should undergo noninvasive 24-h blood pressure monitoring.

Comment on "Orthostatic changes in blood pressure and survival in elderly cardiopaths".

Comment on "Orthostatic changes in blood pressure and survival in elderly cardiopaths".

Prevalence of orthostatic hypertension and its association with cerebrovascular diagnoses in patients with suspected TIA and minor stroke

PurposeWe aimed to compare the rate of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and cerebrovascular disease diagnoses across groups of patients based on their orthostatic blood pressure response in a transients ischemic attack clinic setting.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analysed prospectively collected data from 3201 patients referred to a transient ischemic attack (TIA)/minor stroke outpatients clinic. Trained nurses measured supine and standing blood pressure using an automated blood pressure device and the patients were categorized based on their orthostatic blood pressure change into four groups: no orthostatic blood pressure rise, systolic orthostatic hypertension, diastolic orthostatic hypertension, and combined orthostatic hypertension. Then, four stroke physicians, who were unaware of patients' orthostatic BP response, assessed the patients and made diagnoses based on clinical and imaging data. We compared the rate of stroke, TIA, and cerebrovascular disease (either stroke or TIA) diagnoses across the study groups using Pearson's χ2 test. The effect of confounders was adjusted using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsCerebrovascular disease was significantly less common in patients with combined systolic and diastolic orthostatic hypertension compared to the "no rise" group [OR = 0.56 (95% CI 0.35–0.89]. The odds were even lower among the subgroups of patients with obesity [OR = 0.31 (0.12–0.80)], without history of smoking [OR 0.34 (0.15–0.80)], and without hypertension [OR = 0.42 (95% CI 0.19–0.92)]. We found no significant relationship between orthostatic blood pressure rise with the diagnosis of stroke. However, the odds of TIA were significantly lower in patients with diastolic [OR 0.82 (0.68–0.98)] and combined types of orthostatic hypertension [OR = 0.54 (0.32–0.93)]; especially in patients younger than 65 years [OR = 0.17 (0.04–0.73)] without a history of hypertension [OR = 0.34 (0.13–0.91)], and patients who did not take antihypertensive therapy [OR = 0.35 (0.14–0.86)].ConclusionOur data suggest that orthostatic hypertension may be a protective factor for TIA among younger and normotensive patients.

The association between orthostatic blood pressure changes and arterial stiffness.

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. 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). 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. 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.

Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Orthostatic Hypotensive Stress: A Community-Based Korean Study.

The relationship between orthostatic blood pressure (BP) changes and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been explored in Asian populations. We reviewed the data of 7,039 participants from the Ansung-Ansan cohort study. BP was measured in the supine position and 2 minutes after standing. The change in BP from the supine to upright position was defined as orthostatic BP change. Orthostatic systolic BP (SBP) decline was defined as an orthostatic SBP change of <-2 mm Hg. The primary outcome was the development of CKD, defined as the first event of an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 at least twice during the follow-up period. Of 7,039 participants, 949 (13.5 %) developed incident CKD over a mean of 11.9 years. Although orthostatic diastolic BP change was not associated with incident CKD, every 1 mm Hg increase in orthostatic SBP change was associated with a decreased risk of incident CKD (HR, 0.989; 95% CI, 0.982-0.995; P = 0.001). Orthostatic SBP decline was associated with an increased risk of incident CKD (HR, 1.337; 95% CI, 1.163-1.537; P < 0.001). Older age and diabetes were associated with increased odds of orthostatic SBP decline, whereas male sex and high body mass index were associated with decreased odds of orthostatic SBP decline. Subgroup analysis revealed that orthostatic SBP decline was associated with incident CKD only in non-diabetic participants. Orthostatic SBP decline was independently associated with an increased risk of future incident CKD, whereas orthostatic DBP decline was not.

Blood Pressure Hyperreactivity to Standing: a Predictor of Adverse Outcome in Young Hypertensive Patients.

The prognostic significance and the mechanisms of blood pressure (BP) hyperreactivity to standing remain controversial. This study aims to evaluate the association of orthostatic hyperreactivity with major adverse cardiovascular and renal events in a cohort of young hypertensive subjects. We studied 1207 untreated subjects screened for stage I hypertension with a mean age of 33.1±8.6 years. The orthostatic BP change was calculated as the difference between 6 standing and 6 supine BP readings obtained during 2 separate visits. Hyperreactivity to standing was defined as the standing-supine systolic BP difference in the top decile. The mean difference in the whole group was -2.5±7.3/4.6±5.4 mm Hg. Ambulatory hypertension evaluated with 24-hour recordings was more common in Hyperreactors than Normoreactors (90.8% versus 76.4%, P=0.001). In 630 participants in whom 24-hour urinary catecholamines were measured, epinephrine/creatinine ratio was higher in hyperreactors (118.4±185.6 versus 77.0±90.1 nmol/mol, P=0.005). During a 17.2-year follow-up, 105 major adverse cardiovascular and renal events were accrued. In a multivariate Cox model, hyperreactivity to standing was an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular and renal events with a hazard ratio of 1.97 (95% CI, 1.10-3.52). Hyperreactivity remained an independent predictor of adverse events even when ambulatory BP data and incident hypertension during follow-up were included in the Cox model (hazard ratio, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.10-3.44]). Our data indicate that in young-to-middle-age hypertensive subjects an exaggerated systolic BP response to standing is associated with sympatho-adrenergic hyperreactivity and is an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular and renal events. Orthostatic BP assessment gives the advantage of simple acquisition and provides prognostic information on top of ambulatory BP.

Orthostatic intolerance: a frailty marker for older adults.

Frailty, orthostatic blood pressure changes (OBPC), and orthostatic intolerance syndrome (OIS) are common in geriatric patients. However, the results of the studies evaluating the relationship between these entities are discordant. We aimed to investigate the association between frailty and OIS with or without OBPC. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), frailty assessment, OBPC evaluations in the active-standing test (1st, 3rd, 5th, and 10th min), OIS investigation both in history before the test (self-reported OIS) and emerged during the active-standing test, and sarcopenia assessment via BIA and handgrip strength (HGS) were performed in 102 geriatric outpatients. Patients were divided into three categories according to their frailty status (non-frail, prefrail, and frail) by Modified Fried Frailty Index (FFI) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Prevalence of self-reported OIS and OIS during the test were statistically higher in the frail group assessed by both frailty scales (P value: 0.001 for CFS, P value < 0.0001 for FFI, and P value: 0.001 for CFS, P value: 0.007 for FFI, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that OIS significantly increased frailty assessed both by FFI and CFS, when adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, CGA, and sarcopenia (For FFI, OR: 19.37; 95% CI: 2.38-157.14; P value: 0.006 and for CFS OR: 4.32; 95% CI: 1.184-11.47; P value: 0.003, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study defining OIS as symptoms both self-reported and provoked during the test, and showed a strong correlation between OIS and frailty. OIS may be defined as a multifactorial and independent marker for frailty, regardless of OBPC. Further prospective investigations are warranted to support the relationships between OIS and frailty.