ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in the elderly and retired population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1174 elderly and retired people underwent health screening physical examination in Guangzhou military region were included. The orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate were measured in supine position after resting for more than 5 minutes and at 0 and 2 min after standing. Subjects were divided into OH positive group and OH negative group. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as 20 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) or greater decrease in SBP and/or 10 mm Hg or greater decrease in DBP after standing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of OH in this cohort was 25.6% at either 0 or 2 min after standing (21.6% or 20.7% respectively). Incidence of hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), ischemic stroke and diabetes was significantly higher in OH positive group than in OH negative group (all P < 0.05), however, antihypertensive medication was similar between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Orthostatic hypotension is common in the elderly and retired population and is associated with increased risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.</p>