[Orthostatic hypotension: implications for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases].

Several cardiovascular drugs may induce or worsen orthostatic hypotension especially in patients treated for hypertension, coronary artery disease and heart failure. Orthostatic hypotension is more frequent in polymedicated elderly patients with co-morbidities (prevalence 23%). In hypertensive elderly patients, the combination of three antihypertensive agents including a beta-blocker induces more frequently orthostatic hypotension. Supplementation in water and especially salt is generally not recommended in case of hypertension and heart failure. Education of patient to preventive counter-pressure maneuvers and muscle training of the lower limbs must be part of treatment. Midodrine causes supine hypertension in almost 25% of patients precluding to take this medication at the end of the afternoon. In severe heart failure, midodrine seems to be helpful to optimize drug treatment in patients suffering from hypotension.