An 80-year old hypertensive male is on regular antihypertensive medication, complaints of dizziness, fatigue, syncope or fainting, mental confusion, and lightheadedness after eating meals. The attending nurse records a postprandial fall in blood pressure. What is the appropriate advice to be given by the nurse to help his condition?

Question

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The appropriate advice given by the nurse is to tell him to eat small meals low in carbohydrates. Postprandial hypotension is a condition that involves a sudden drop in blood pressure after eating. It typically affects elderly individuals with other cardiovascular comorbid condition or neurological disorders. Symptoms of the condition include dizziness, fatigue, syncope or fainting, mental confusion, and/or lightheadedness. Postprandial hypotension is more common among individuals with high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system disorders. Lifestyle modifications such as eating smaller meals low in carbohydrates more often may reduce symptoms. Also, lowering the dose of blood pressure medications may decrease the onset of postprandial hypotension.

An 80-Year Old Hypertensive Male Is on Regular Antihypertensive Medication