OBJECTIVE: Assess the frequency of orthostatic hypotension and its symptoms in outpatients and identify possible risk factors for the patient's profile.
METHOD: A hundred elderly aged 65 years old or over it of both sexes that sought outpatient care at "Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual", had their the blood pressure measured in the supine position after a resting of 3 minutes in this position and in a standing position after 1 - 3 minutes, when the patient was asked about the symptoms. The risk factors for orthostatic hypotension were asked previously.
RESULTS: Frequency of orthostatic hypotension was 38% and of these only 11% had symptoms. The association of changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was more frequent, 24%, compared to isolated changes. One or more risk factors were found in all patients of the sample, and the use of medications and hypertension were the most common.
CONCLUSION: There is a high frequency of orthostatic hypotension in ambulatory elderly, especially chronic users of drugs and hypertense elders.</p
