The authors examined 100 psychiatric patients who were 60 years old and
older for orthostatic hypotension and symptoms of dizziness and falling.
Almost 40% of the patients complained of dizziness and falling, although
only 27% had systolic orthostatic hypotension. Drug treatment, particularly
the combination of tricyclics with other orthostatic hypotension-inducing
drugs, was the most important factor accounting for the dizziness and
falling. Underlying medical illness, particularly heart disease, also
correlated significantly with the patients' symptoms.Abstract Teaser