Advances in the Pathophysiology and Management of Supine Hypertension in Patients with Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension

Purpose of Review Patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (OH) frequently have hypertension in the supine position (sHTN). We review the controversies surrounding the need and safety of treating sHTN in patients with OH. Recent Findings The presence of sHTN complicates the management of OH because treatment of one can worsen the other. New approaches have been developed to treat OH without worsening sHTN by preferentially improving standing blood pressure, such as medications that harness the patient's residual sympathetic tone like pyridostigmine and atomoxetine, and devices such as an automated abdominal binder that targets the inappropriate splanchnic venous pooling causing OH. There is a reluctance to treat sHTN for fear of increasing the risks of falls and syncope associated with OH, thought to be more immediate and dangerous than the late complications of organ damage associated with sHTN. This, however, does not take into account that nighttime sHTN induces natriuresis, volume loss, and begets daytime orthostatic hypotension. It is possible to treat sHTN in ways that reduce the risk of worsening OH. Furthermore, novel approaches, such as the use of local heat can control nighttime sHTN, reduce nocturia, and improve OH. Although continued progress is needed, recent findings offer hope that we can treat nocturnal sHTN and at the same time improve daytime OH, lessening the controversy whether to treat or not sHTN.

Automated summary

The article discusses the controversy surrounding treating supine hypertension in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, highlighting the complexity introduced by the presence of sHTN in managing OH. Recent research indicates that new approaches can improve OH without exacerbating sHTN, thus increasing the possibility of treating sHTN.