How is orthostatic hypotension diagnosed?

The diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension involves measuring blood pressure and pulse readings in three different positions: lying down, sitting, and standing. This method allows healthcare providers to observe how a person's blood pressure responds to changes in posture. When a person stands up from a sitting or lying position, gravity causes blood to pool in the lower extremities. In healthy individuals, compensatory mechanisms work to maintain cerebral perfusion and blood pressure. However, if these compensatory mechanisms are insufficient, blood pressure can drop significantly, leading to symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.

Analyzing pulse patterns over 24 hours is not a standard diagnostic method for orthostatic hypotension, as this condition specifically relates to postural changes rather than continuous pulse monitoring. Administering a stress test is typically used to evaluate heart function and exercise tolerance rather than diagnosing blood pressure issues related to posture. Similarly, checking blood pressure after medication administration could reveal changes due to the drug's effects, but it does not specifically assess blood pressure response to positional changes, which is crucial for diagnosing orthostatic hypotension.