2024 Volume 61 Issue 2 Pages 123-126
Parkinson’s disease (PD) presents with blood pressure circulatory dysregulation (BPCD), including orthostatic hypotension (OH), postprandial hypotension (PPH), supine hypertension (SH) and nocturnal hypertension (NH). OH has an impact on falls and prognosis. PPH is also a poor prognostic factor. SH is present in about 50% of PD and is more common in older, patients of akinetic form with reduced cognitive function. NH is found in 16% of PD and is associated with cognitive impairment. It is important to assess BPCD status by measuring 24-hour blood pressure variability and to respond frequently and stabilize blood pressure by combining fluid intake, dietary adjustments, caffeine intake, medications for elevated blood pressure, upper body elevation while supine, short-acting antihypertensive medications before bedtime, back heat therapy while sleeping and abdominal bandages during the day, depending on the situation.
