Some medications used to treat other health problems can result in orthostatic hypotension. Two types of medication in particular are antidepressants and anti-hypertension medications. Anti-hypertension medications are most often used for the elderly as blood pressure increases with age. Ironically, the use of these medications can sometimes swing blood pressure to the opposite extreme, resulting in hypotension. If you are taking any of these medication and are experiencing the symptoms of hypotension, you may want to talk to your doctor about switching to a different drug, a lower dose, or discontinuing use of the medication altogether.
Most orthostatic episodes are mild and quickly passing.
Most orthostatic hypotension does not indicate an underlying disease. But if fainting or near fainting occurs, if it is disrupting to normal activities, if episodes have started suddenly, if the woman is taking a medication, or if it occurs along with other new symptoms, then a doctor's visit is in order. Older, diabetic, hypertensive, depressed, and anxious patients are more likely to be those requiring medical intevention. Low blood pressure can be a symptom of heart or circulatory problems. Rarely, there are neurological problems that underlie orthostatic hypotension.