What changes in blood pressure and heart rate does postural hypotension typically involve?

Postural hypotension, also known as orthostatic hypotension, occurs when there is a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing up or changing positions, which leads to symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness. The condition is typically characterized by a decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure when a person moves from a sitting or lying position to an upright position.

To compensate for this drop in blood pressure, the body often responds with an increase in heart rate. This compensatory mechanism aims to maintain adequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to the vital organs despite the lowered blood pressure. Thus, the correct response to this condition includes decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure alongside an increased heart rate.

Understanding this physiological response is crucial, as it highlights the body's attempt to stabilize blood pressure under the stress of postural changes, and it underscores the importance of monitoring these changes in individuals susceptible to postural hypotension.