住院老年高血压患者伴发餐后低血压的临床观察

目的观察住院老年原发性高血压患者餐后血压变化,探讨餐后低血压(PPH)临床特点及其与心、肾等靶器官损害的相关性。方法选取2013年3月至2014年10月大连医科大学附属第一医院高血压病房住院治疗的老年原发性高血压患者191例,行24h动态血压监测,根据PPH诊断标准分为PPH组(n=153)和非PPH组(NPPH组,n=38),探讨PPH临床特点及相关因素。行心脏超声、肾功能检查,探讨PPH对心脏及肾脏损害的影响。结果住院老年原发性高血压患者191例中,153例在不同餐次出现至少一次PPH,PPH总发生率80.1%。早餐及午餐PPH发生率高于晚餐(P0.05);早餐、午餐餐后收缩压下降幅度大于晚餐[(18.3±14.9)、(20.3±14.6)比(15.5±13.0)mm Hg,均P0.05],三餐后舒张压下降幅度差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。不同年龄组PPH发生率差异无统计学意义,但80~89岁高龄老年组早餐后收缩压下降幅度较60~69岁低龄老年组增大[(26.3±12.1)比(16.8±15.0)mm Hg,P0.05]。根据三餐的餐前收缩压之和取平均值分为3组,餐前平均收缩压较高的C组(≥160mm Hg)与B组(140~160mm Hg)的PPH发生率高于收缩压较低的A组(140mm Hg)(P0.05);且C组和B组三餐后收缩压下降幅度高于A组。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,三餐餐前平均收缩压是PPH发生的独立影响因素(OR1.050,95%CI 1.021~1.079)。PPH组左心室质量指数大于NPPH组(P0.05),而PPH组与NPPH组在肾功能方面的差异无统计学意义。结论住院老年原发性高血压患者的PPH发生率为80.1%,三餐中以早餐及午餐PPH发生率较高,晚餐PPH发生率最低;三餐餐前平均收缩压是住院老年原发性高血压患者PPH发生的独立影响因素;PPH的发生可能会引起住院老年原发性高血压患者左心室结构的改变。     

老年人餐后低血压的相关因素

目的探讨老年人餐后低血压(PPH)的临床特点和影响因素。方法该院心血管门诊患者273例,按年龄大小分为高龄组(≥80岁)96例,普通组(60~80岁)177例,给予标准化的餐饮方案。采用24 h动态血压监测仪测定患者右上肢血压,每隔30 min检测一次。同时记录患者的身高、体重等基本资料,以及患者的基础疾病和用药情况。比较分析不同情况下两组患者的PPH检出率及药物等因素的影响。结果高龄组的高血压及心脑血管事件发生率明显高于普通组(P0.01)。高龄组早、中、晚餐后PPH检出率均显著高于普通组(P0.01);且三餐后血压降低幅度均大于普通组,但只有中餐后有统计学差异(P0.01)。对于应用利尿剂和硝酸酯类降压药的老年人,高龄组PPH发生率显著高于普通组(P0.01,P0.05)。年龄、高血压、降压药与PPH正相关。结论高龄老年人PPH的发生率高于普通老年人,且血压降低幅度较大;利尿剂和硝酸酯类降压药可增加高龄老年人PPH的发生率;高血压、降压药可影响PPH的检出率。     

高龄老年高血压患者动态血压特点

目的探讨高龄老年高血压患者动态血压特点。方法选择我院心血管内科及老年医学科住院的高血压患者265例,按年龄分为高龄老年组(年龄≥80岁)94例、老年组(60～79岁)90例和60岁组81例,行动态血压监测,分析其血压节律、3个时段(24h、昼间及夜间)血压均值及血压变异性的特点。结果高龄老年组和老年组杓型血压发生率、24h舒张压、昼间舒张压、昼间平均压、夜间舒张压明显低于60岁组,反杓型血压发生率、24h脉压、昼间脉压、夜间收缩压、夜间脉压明显高于60岁组(P0.05,P0.01);高龄老年组杓型血压发生率及24h、昼间、夜间舒张压明显低于老年组[13.83%vs 26.66%,(66.17±7.39)mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133kPa)vs (70.39±10.96)mm Hg,(66.90±7.55)mm Hg vs (70.88±11.68)mm Hg,(64.10±8.14)mm Hg vs (68.27±11.86)mm Hg,P0.05,P0.01],24h、夜间脉压明显高于老年组(P0.05,P0.01),昼间收缩压变异明显高于老年组和60岁组,24h收缩压变异高于60岁组,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);老年组24h平均压明显低于60岁组(P0.05)。结论高龄老年高血压患者动态血压表现出血压节律异常、脉压增大、血压变异性升高等特点。     

进食和慢性疾病对住院老年人餐后血压的影响

目的探讨进食和慢性疾病对住院老年人餐后血压的影响。方法餐前15min测1次血压,进第1口饭开始计时,20、40、60、90和120min各测血压1次,以餐后血压变化最大值作为餐后血压,将152例患者分为高血压组(127例)和无高血压组(25例),餐前高血压与餐前血压正常者,服用降压药与未服用降压药者。观察年龄、降压药物及主要慢性疾病对餐后低血压(PPH)的影响。结果餐后20、40、60、90和120min发生PPH分别为60、81、93、81和83例,5个时间点比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.004);与餐前血压正常者餐后收缩压变化最大值比较,餐前高血压者收缩压下降幅度大(P=0.000);早餐后收缩压变化最大值与脑卒中、服用降压药物及年龄相关(P=0.017,P=0.050,P=0.019);晚餐后收缩压变化最大值与冠心病相关(P=0.037);早餐后舒张压变化最大值与脑卒中、下肢静脉曲张及服用降压药物相关(P=0.009,P=0.033,P=0.047)。结论餐后60min易发生PPH,餐前高血压患者餐后血压下降幅度较大,餐后血压变化与脑卒中、冠心病、下肢静脉曲张、服用降压药物及年龄有关。     

老年高血压住院病人的临床特点及血压治疗情况

目的探讨老年高血压住院病人的临床特点及血压治疗情况。方法回顾性分析2013年7月—2015年1月山西大医院心内科住院的老年高血压病人资料,根据年龄分为高龄老年组和低龄老年组,分析两组高血压病人的一般情况、入出院的血压水平、降压药物的服用情况及临床事件发生率;按入院时的收缩压水平将两组病人分为A组(≥150 mm Hg)、B组(150 mm Hg)。分析各组高血压病人入院、出院的血压水平及降压药物的服用情况。结果与低龄老年组的基线资料比较,高龄老年组高血压病史较长,体重指数、血红蛋白较低,更多病人合并脑血管病、外周动脉疾病、肾功能不全及房颤/房扑。高龄老年组和低龄老年组入院时收缩压(SBP)分别为(140.38±19.51)mm Hg、(139.22±17.71)mm Hg,舒张压(DBP)分别为(74.36±10.15)mm Hg、(76.40±11.13)mm Hg,出院时SBP分别为(129.79±14.31)mm Hg、(128.55±10.79)mm Hg,DBP分别为(72.27±8.16)mm Hg、(72.86±7.76)mm Hg,两组比较收缩压及舒张压水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05),两组使用降压药物的种类相近,高龄老年组和低龄老年组分别为2.14±1.06、2.13±1.03(P0.05),两组住院期间的临床事件比较无统计学意义(P0.05)。高龄老年组和低龄老年组入院时SBP≥150 mm Hg的病人分别占34.97%、31.01%,住院期间SBP、DBP变化幅度较入院时明显(P0.01),高龄老年组和低龄老年组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。出院时SBP≥150 mm Hg的病人高龄老年组、低龄老年组分别占13.19%、3.58%,较低血压水平SBP1 3 0 mm Hg,高龄老年组和低龄老年组分别占4 1.2 1%和4 5.5 8%,DBP≤6 0 mm Hg,高龄老年组和低龄老年组分别占1 3.1 9%、11.73%,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论临床工作中对高龄老年高血压的治疗比较积极,降压达标率高,但在治疗中未根据年龄及一般状况进行细化区分,应引起重视。     

80岁以上老年反流性食管炎的临床特征分析

目的 探讨80岁以上老年反流性食管炎(reflux esophagitis,RE)的临床特点.方法 收集经胃镜检查确诊为RE的患者192例,分为两组:高龄老年组45例(≥80岁)、非高龄老年组147例(<80岁),按洛杉矶标准分级,同时填写临床症状调查表,并检测两组食管运动功能的改变.结果 高龄老年RE内镜检出率(4.56%)明显高于非高龄老年RE(3.25%),且重度RE所占比例亦高于非高龄老年RE组(22.22% vs 4.76%),典型症状反酸、烧心的发生率高龄老年RE组显著低于非高龄老年RE组(26.67%vs 48.98%、33.33% vs 54.42%),而非典型症状上腹不适、咳嗽、支气管炎均高于非高龄老年RE组(66.67% vs 40.14%、64.44% vs16.94%、51.11% vs 31.29%),H.pylori感染率在两组间无明显差别(P>0.05),高龄老年RE组LEPP较非高龄老年RE组显著降低(37.94 mm Hg±22.16 mm Hg vs 53.07 mm Hg±26.51 mm Hg)(P<0.01),双峰及以上波(34.72% vs 22.49%)、同步收缩波(21.87% vs 10.97%)即食管异常蠕动波发生频率却显著增多(P<0.05).结论 高龄老年RE具有内镜检出率高,食管炎症程度重,典型症状发生率低,非典型症状发生率高,食管运动功能障碍重,而H.pylori感染率与RE年龄无关的特点.     

慢性疾病与住院老年人餐后低血压的偏相关分析

目的探讨慢性疾病对住院老年人餐后低血压(PPH)的影响。方法餐前15 min测1次血压为餐前血压,进第1口饭开始计时,20、40、60、90、120 min各测血压1次,以餐后血压变化最大值为餐后血压,将患者分高血压组与无高血压组;餐前高血压〔收缩压(SBP)≥140和(或)舒张压(DBP)≥90 mm Hg〕者与餐前血压正常者;服用降压药者与未用降压药者。并将糖尿病、原发性高血压、冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病、慢性阻塞性肺部疾病、心功能、脑卒中、肾脏疾病、下肢静脉曲张、营养不良、服用降压药、年龄等因素对餐后血压变化情况进行偏相关分析。结果早、中、晚餐发生PPH的人数分别为82、61、54例,3组差异显著(P=0.005);餐后20、40、60、90、120 min发生PPH的人数分别为74、95、112、103、99例,5组差异显著(P=0.001);餐前高血压者与餐前血压正常者早中晚餐餐后SBP变化最大值比较有统计学意义(P=0.000),早餐SBP变化最大值比较有统计学意义(P=0.006);偏相关分析显示:早餐后SBP变化最大值与肾功能、服用降压药相关(r=0.189、-0.180,P=0.035、0.044),晚餐后SBP变化最大值与冠心病相关(r=0.185,P=0.039);早餐DBP变化最大值与年龄相关(r=0.580,P=0.000);晚餐后SBP变化最大值与原发性高血压相关(r=0.194,P=0.030)。结论早餐及餐后60⁹0 min易发生PPH,餐前高血压患者餐后血压下降幅度较大,PPH与冠心病、肾功能、原发性高血压、服用降压药物及年龄有关。     

原发性高血压患者早餐餐后低血压与血压晨峰的相关性

目的分析原发性高血压患者早餐餐后低血压(postprandial hypotension,PPH)与血压晨峰的相关性。方法将行24 h动态血压监测的原发性高血压患者135例分三组,其中仅有原发性高血压组(非PPH组)45例,合并早餐餐后低血压组45例,合并中晚餐餐后低血压组45例,观察三组平均血压、血压负荷值、勺型率、血压变异性及晨峰值等指标。结果 (1)合并早餐餐后低血压组24 h、日间、夜间收缩压变异性及24 h、日间舒张压变异性明显高于非PPH组及合并中晚餐餐后低血压组,且差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)合并早餐餐后低血压组患者血压晨峰值及晨峰发生率明显高于非PPH组及合并中晚餐餐后低血压组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。(3)餐前血压越高越容易发生餐后低血压,餐前血压与餐后血压下降值成正相关(r=0.548,P0.001),早餐餐前血压与早餐后血压下降值成正相关(r=0.623,P0.001)。结论餐前血压越高越易发生餐后低血压,早餐餐后低血压患者血压变异性增高,更易发生晨峰现象。     

老年男性高血压患者血压变异性与肾功能的相关性分析

目的了解血压控制良好的老年及高龄老年男性高血压患者血压变异性与肾功能的相关性。方法选择老年男性高血压患者413例,根据年龄分为老年组196例(年龄<80岁)和高龄组217例(年龄≥80岁)。给予24h动态血压监测及血液指标检测。血压变异性指标用24h收缩压和舒张压血压标准差表示,肾功能指标由估算的肾小球滤过率(eGFR)表示。将研究人群按照eGFR≥90ml/(min.1.73m2)、60～89ml/(min.1.73m2)、<60ml/(min.1.73m2)分为eGFR 1组89例、eGFR 2组179例和eGFR 3组145例。结果与老年组比较,高龄组年龄、糖尿病和冠心病患病、尿酸、夜间收缩压、24h收缩压负荷水平明显增高,TC、LDL-C、eGFR、24h舒张压、夜间收缩压下降、夜间舒张压下降明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。多因素分析显示,24h收缩压标准差是血压控制良好的老年及高龄老年患者肾功能下降的独立危险因素。结论在血压控制良好的老年男性高血压患者中,只有24h收缩压标准差是肾功能下降的独立危险因素,改善血压变异性是延缓肾功能下降的重要治疗内容。     

高龄高血压患者在我国专家推荐降压标准下的血压控制现状调查

目的 分析我国高龄高血压住院患者在降压标准150/90 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)下的降压达标率、用药及并发症分布情况。方法 选择解放军空军特色医学中心所有科室年龄≥80岁且被诊断为高血压的409例住院患者为研究对象,将409例患者分为强化降压组(106例,收缩压<130 mm Hg)、标准降压组(155例,收缩压130～149 mm Hg)和降压未达标组(148例,收缩压≥150 mm Hg),分析各组患者血压控制现状。结果 以150/90 mm Hg为降压标准时,强化降压组占25.9%,标准降压组占37.9%,降压未达标组占36.2%,降压未达标组年龄>90岁比例显著低于强化降压组和标准降压组(4.1%vs 7.5%、12.3%,P<0.05)。标准降压组一联用药比例显著高于强化降压组(46.5%vs 32.1%),强化降压组二联用药比例显著高于标准降压组(35.8%vs 22.6%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。强化降压组并发心脏损害和脑血管损害比例显著高于标准降压组(43.4%vs 21.9%,26.4%vs 14.8%),合...     

Prevalence of and risk factors for postprandial hypotension in older Chinese men

Objective To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for postprandial hypotension (PPH) among old and very old Chinese men. Methods The study included 349 Chinese men aged 65 and older, grouped into two age categories: group 1 (old) included 163 men aged 65 to 80 years; group 2 (very old) included 186 men aged over 80 years. Blood pressure changes after meals were assessed every 15 min by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Symptoms after meal ingestion and after standing up and changes in the baseline condition relative to blood pressure changes were observed continuously. Additional baseline data included body mass index, medical history, and medication use. Results The prevalence of PPH was 59.3% overall and was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 (63.4% vs. 54.6%, P < 0.05). In group 2, the prevalence of PPH after breakfast (33.8%) and lunch (32.1%) were higher than that after supper (20.9%), P < 0.05. Hypertension and age were significant risk factors for PPH (OR = 2.188, 95% CI: 1.134?4.223, P = 0.02; OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.112?3.11, P = 0.018, respectively). In contrast, acarbose use was protective against PPH (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.189?0.847, P = 0.017). The decrease in blood pressure during PPH was 20?40 mmHg and the maximum was 90 mmHg. PPH usually occurred at 30?60 min after a meal and lasted 30?120 min. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the prevalence of PPH in men aged over 80 years is significantly higher than those in men aged 65 to 80 years, and the blood pressure decline is also higher for men aged over 80 years. In addition, hypertension and age were main risk factors for PPH in the older men, which suggest that preventing and treating PPH is worthwhile.     

餐后低血压与脑梗塞后遗症患者短暂性意识丧失的关系

目的：探讨高龄老年脑梗塞后遗症患者短暂性意识丧失与餐后低血压（PPH）的关系。方法：选择31例50~68岁无脑梗塞患者为对照组,70例70岁以上,有短暂意识丧失合并脑梗塞后遗症患者为观察组,测定所有研究对象三餐前、后血压,并进行比较分析。结果：脑梗塞后遗症伴短暂意识丧失患者PPH发生率为77.14%（54/70）,其中以早餐最高。观察组早餐及晚餐后SBP下降幅度明显大于对照组[早餐（38.6±12.5）mmHg∶（30±11.4）mmHg,晚餐（30.5±10.4）mmHg∶（26.5±3.5）mmHg,P均〈0.05]。结论：脑梗塞后遗症伴短暂意识丧失患者多伴有餐后低血压,在诊治过程中除了要排除心脑血管本身疾病原因外,还应考虑餐后低血压。     

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and postprandial hypotension in elderly persons with falls or syncopes

BACKGROUND: Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is increasingly recognized as a common cause of falls and syncope in elderly persons. Noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been recommended for detecting PPH. This study investigates postprandial blood pressure (BP) changes by means of ABPM in elderly patients experiencing falls or syncopes. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour ABPM was performed in 156 inpatients (111 women, mean age 80.4 +/- 8.1 years). Among them, 45 had been admitted for falls and 75 for syncope; 36 with no history of falls or syncope served as controls. Postprandial change in systolic blood pressure (deltaSBP) was calculated by subtracting the mean SBP within the 2 hours following the meal from the mean SBP within the 2 hours preceding the meal. PPH was defined by a deltaSBP > or = 20 mm Hg. RESULTS: For the entire group, mean SBP decreased after the three meals. On average, the decline in SBP was greater after breakfast than after lunch or dinner, and the number of patients experiencing PPH was greater after breakfast. Average maximal deltaSBP was significantly larger in the syncope group than in the other groups ( p < .05). Moreover, the number of patients experiencing PPH was significantly higher in the syncope/fall group than in the control group (23% vs 9%; p = .03). Compared with patients without PPH, patients with PPH were more likely to have a history of diabetes mellitus (p < .01) or to use more than three different drugs daily ( p = .04), and they showed greater daytime SBP variability (p < .0001). Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between preprandial SBP and deltaSBP after breakfast. CONCLUSIONS: About one out of four elderly patients with falls or syncope experiences PPH, usually after breakfast. Postprandial decline in BP contributes to BP variability. deltaSBP and preprandial SBP are positively correlated.     

The effect of meals at different mealtimes on blood pressure and symptoms in geriatric patients with postprandial hypotension

BACKGROUND: The variability of postprandial hypotension (PPH) during the day in elderly patients is unknown. We examined the effect of meals administered at different mealtimes on postprandial blood pressure (BP) responses in geriatric patients. METHODS: In 14 geriatric patients (6 men and 8 women, aged 66-97) previously diagnosed with PPH, standardized liquid test meals were given in random order at breakfast, lunchtime, or dinnertime on 3 separate days. Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured with an ambulatory BP device every 10 minutes from 20 minutes before until 90 minutes after each meal. Postprandial symptoms were observed continuously. RESULTS: Significant decreases in SBP and DBP were present after each meal (p <.050). The maximum SBP decrease was significantly smaller at dinnertime (-18 +/- 3 mmHg) than at breakfast (-29 +/- 2 mmHg) or lunchtime (-34 +/- 4 mmHg) (p <.005 between groups). Eight patients showed no PPH in the evening, whereas all patients had PPH after breakfast and lunch. The duration of PPH was significantly shorter (p <.001), and postprandial symptoms were less frequent and less severe after dinner compared to breakfast and lunch. CONCLUSIONS: In geriatric patients, postprandial BP responses show a variation during the day, with significantly less PPH and fewer symptoms in the evening. Clinical implication is that, in the diagnostic process and management of PPH, the variation of the occurrence of PPH during the day should be taken into account. Through adjustment of BP decreasing activities to the time PPH is least prevalent, the risk of developing symptomatic PPH can be reduced.     

高血压病和糖尿病患者餐后状态血压及心率变化的研究

目的　研究高血压病 (EH)和 2型糖尿病 (DM)患者餐后状态血压和心率的变化特点。　方法　 187例患者 ,分 3组 :高血压病组 (EH,71例 ) ,2型糖尿病组 (DM,49例 )和 2型糖尿病伴高血压组 (DM EH,6 7例 )。观察各组 2 4h动态血压和心率 ,进标准定量饮食 ,分析进餐前后收缩压(SBP)、舒张压 (DBP)和心率的变化。　结果　 EH组和 DM EH组 2 4h平均收缩压 (2 4h ABPS)和2 4h平均舒张压 (2 4h ABPD)较 DM组明显增高 (P<0 .0 1) ,而 DM组和 DM EH组 2 4h平均心率较 EH组快 (P<0 .0 1) ;EH组在餐后 30 m in至 6 0 min的 SBP、DBP和心率较餐前对应时间点升高(P<0 .0 1) ,餐后 90 m in SBP、DBP和心率恢复至餐前水平。 DM组和 DM EH组在餐后 30 m in至90 min SBP、DBP和心率下降 (P<0 .0 1) ,餐后 12 0 min SBP、DBP和心率恢复至餐前水平。　结论　高血压病和 2型糖尿病患者餐后状态血压和心率的变化有不同的特点 ,表现为高血压病患者餐后血压升高和心率增快 ,而 2型糖尿病或伴高血压病的 2型糖尿病患者餐后血压和心率下降 ,且其血压和心率恢复至餐前水平较单纯高血压病患者慢。     

Octreotide inhibits the meal-induced increases in the portal venous pressure of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the long-acting somatostatin analog, octreotide, on portal venous pressure and collateral blood flow in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension during fasting and postprandial states. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the effects of octreotide on the hepatic venous pressures and azygos blood flow of 21 patients before and after a standard liquid meal containing 40 gm of protein in 250 ml. Octreotide significantly reduced azygos blood flow from a mean of 499 +/- 65 ml/min to a mean of 355 +/- 47 ml/min (p < 0.01), but it had no effect on the hepatic venous pressure gradient. The hepatic venous pressure gradient of patients in the placebo group increased significantly, from a fasting mean of 16.4 +/- 1.6 mm Hg to a mean of 20.0 +/- 1.7 mm Hg 30 min after the meal (p < 0.01). In a second protocol hepatic venous pressures were measured in 20 patients at 30-min intervals for 2 hr after ingestion of the mixed meal. Again the placebo group showed a significant increase in the hepatic venous pressure gradient 30 min after the meal (20.4 +/- 1.5 mm Hg vs. 18.2 +/- 1.2 mm Hg; p < 0.05), but the group receiving octreotide showed no significant changes during the 2 hr of observation. We conclude that octreotide significantly reduces azygos blood flow, with little effect on portal venous pressure, and that it appears to inhibit postprandial increases in portal pressure in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.     

The effects of caffeine on the postprandial fall of blood pressure in the elderly

In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, we examined the effect of caffeine pretreatment on the haemodynamic and humoral changes after a standardized breakfast in 15 healthy elderly subjects (mean age 75.4 +/- 6.6 years). After placebo, the preprandial blood pressure did not change and the postprandial blood pressure declined by a maximum of 6.1%. After oral ingestion of 250 mg caffeine, 60 min before breakfast, the preprandial blood pressure increased by 12.5%. Although the decrease of the postprandial blood pressure was not altered, blood pressure remained above its basal value. The increase in plasma noradrenaline after the meal was similar in the placebo and the caffeine tests. Plasma adrenaline decreased after placebo (-19%) but did not change after caffeine. Thus, despite the unchanged decrease of the postprandial blood pressure, the preprandial pressor effect of caffeine prevented the decline of the postprandial blood pressure below its baseline value. The clinical relevance of this finding has still to be determined.     

The influence of low-, normal-, and high-carbohydrate meals on blood pressure in elderly patients with postprandial hypotension.

BACKGROUND: Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is a common and serious disorder of blood pressure (BP) regulation in elderly people. It has been suggested that primarily the carbohydrate (CH) content of a meal induces the BP decrease. Therefore, we examined the relationship between the CH content of meals and postprandial BP responses in elderly patients diagnosed with PPH. METHODS: Twelve geriatric patients (aged 75 to 91 years; 6 men) who were previously diagnosed with PPH received standardized liquid meals with low- (25 g), normal- (65 g), and high- (125 g) CH content in random order on three separate days. Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP, and heart rate were measured every 5 minutes from 20 minutes before until 75 minutes after each meal. Postprandial symptoms were recorded every 15 minutes. RESULTS: The maximum decrease in SBP was significantly smaller after the low-CH meal (-28 +/- 5 mm Hg) than after the normal- (-39 +/- 7 mm Hg) and high-CH meals (-40 +/- 5 mm Hg) (p <.050 between groups). In addition, the duration of PPH was significantly shorter (p <.010), and postprandial symptoms were less frequent and less severe after the low-CH meal. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the CH amount in meals induces significantly smaller decreases in SBP, shorter duration of PPH, and reduction of PPH-related symptoms. Therefore, limiting the CH content of an elderly patient's meal can be a clinically effective nonpharmacological treatment for PPH in elderly patients and can reduce the risk of developing symptomatic PPH.     

Antihypertensive treatment and postprandial blood pressure reduction in the elderly

Recently it has been demonstrated that blood pressure in the elderly decreases after a meal. To evaluate the influence of antihypertensive treatment on postprandial blood pressure reduction in the elderly, the effects of a breakfast (405 kcal) on blood pressure and heart rate were studied in 15 healthy normotensive elderly subjects (mean age 79.5 +/- 6.0 years), in 10 healthy hypertensive elderly subjects (mean age 80.2 +/- 5.7 years) and in 22 hypertensive elderly subjects (mean age 71.4 +/- 5.0 years) treated with antihypertensive medication (diuretics, beta-blockers, vasodilators). In the three groups there was a fall of mean arterial blood pressure of 9.3 +/- 1.9%, 13.8 +/- 1.9% and 7.9 +/- 1.3%, respectively, at 40 min after the start of the breakfast. In all three groups heart rate increased significantly. It is concluded that antihypertensive treatment with the regimens used in this study does not induce an additional fall of blood pressure postprandially. However, the influence of eating should be avoided in the assessment of antihypertensive drug effects in the elderly.