Abstract
We examined the age-related changes in autonomic nerve function affecteding the regulation of blood flow. We used the Schellong test and a questionnaire for orthostatic dysregulation. Two handred seventy-two elderly subjects over 70 years old were examined in this study and 192 healthy volunteers under 70 years old were examined as controls. We classified the former subjects into two groups, one group with dizziness and vertiginous sensation (vertigo group, N=222), and the other with no symptoms (non-vertigo group, N=50). Then, we statistically analyzed the above three groups. More changes in decrease of systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and/or increase of pulse rate were observed with age increasing, excluding the young subjects in their 20s. In the increase of systolic blood pressure in particular, the vertigo group showed clear changes, and a higher positive rate on the Schellong test and questionnaire. It was suggested that the increase of orthostatic dysregulation with aging might be one factor for the increase of senior vertiginous patients.
