Management Strategies for Comorbid Supine Hypertension in Patients with Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension

• Published in: Current neurology and neuroscience reports 2021-04, Vol.21 (4), p.18-18, Article 18
• Main Authors: Isaacson, Stuart H., Dashtipour, Khashayar, Mehdirad, Ali A., Peltier, Amanda C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autonomic Dysfunction (L.H. Weimer; Autonomic Dysfunction (L.H. Weimer, Section Editor); Autonomic nervous system; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Balance; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular diseases; Comorbidity; Droxidopa; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - complications; Hypertension - drug therapy; Hypertension - epidemiology; Hypotension; Hypotension, Orthostatic - complications; Hypotension, Orthostatic - epidemiology; Hypotension, Orthostatic - therapy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Neurosciences; Orthostatic hypotension; Patients; Section Editor; Syncope; Topical Collection on Autonomic Dysfunction
• ISSN: 1528-4042; 1534-6293
• DOI: 10.1007/s11910-021-01104-3

Purpose of Review In autonomic failure, neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) and neurogenic supine hypertension (nSH) are interrelated conditions characterized by postural blood pressure (BP) dysregulation. nOH results in a sustained BP drop upon standing, which can lead to symptoms that include lightheadedness, orthostatic dizziness, presyncope, and syncope. nSH is characterized by elevated BP when supine and, although often asymptomatic, may increase long-term cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. This article reviews the pathophysiology and clinical characteristics of nOH and nSH, and describes the management of patients with both nOH and nSH. Recent Findings Pressor medications required to treat the symptoms of nOH also increase the risk of nSH. Because nOH and nSH are hemodynamically opposed, therapies to treat one condition may exacerbate the other. The management of patients with nOH who also have nSH can be challenging and requires an individualized approach to balance the short- and long-term risks associated with these conditions. Summary Approaches to manage neurogenic BP dysregulation include nonpharmacologic approaches and pharmacologic treatments. A stepwise treatment approach is presented to help guide neurologists in managing patients with both nOH and nSH.