What is the primary concern regarding postural hypotension in older adults taking antihypertensive medications?

The primary concern regarding postural hypotension in older adults taking antihypertensive medications is that older adults have impaired cardiovascular reflexes. As people age, their autonomic nervous system can become less responsive, which affects the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure effectively when changing position, such as moving from lying down to standing up. This impaired reflex can lead to significant drops in blood pressure upon standing, resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness, or even falls.

While remembering to measure blood pressure and medication dosages are important considerations for treatment adherence, they do not directly address the physiological issues associated with postural hypotension. Additionally, the notion of rebound hypertension is more related to the discontinuation of antihypertensive medications rather than their direct effect during normal use, and older adults generally do not require larger doses due to physiological changes but rather may need adjusted dosages due to their sensitivity to medications. Thus, recognizing the impaired cardiovascular reflexes is crucial for managing the risk of postural hypotension in this population.