Post prandial cardiovascular response in non-instituzionalized normotensive elderly

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the daily blood pressure pattern and the response to a meal and to common daily activities in healthy, non-institutionalized, normotensive elderly. Design and methods: Thirty-five non-institutionalized healthy individuals aged 72.5+/-4 years, and 32 young normotensive controls aged 45+/-7 years were investigated. All participants underwent a standing-up test and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Results: A large postprandial systolic blood pressure fall without any significant heart rate increase was observed in the elderly group. The blood pressure fall was significantly more marked in those with asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension. Conclusion: Elderly individuals experience a more marked blood pressure decrease after a meal than younger controls. This pattern is even more pronounced in the elderly with a positive standing-up test for orthostatic hypotension.