Criteria for postprandial hypotension:
(1) onset within 2 hours after a meal
(2) one or both of the following:
(2a) decrease in systolic blood pressure >= 20 mm Hg between preprandial and postprandial blood pressures
(2b) postprandial systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg after the meal AND preprandial systolic pressure >= 100 mm Hg
(3) absence of alternative explanations
Postprandial hypotension may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptoms may include:
(1) syncope
(2) fall
(3) stroke
(4) angina or acute myocardial infarction
The occurrence of symptoms depends on:
(1) how fast the blood pressure change occurs
(2) how much the systolic blood pressure falls
(3) comorbid conditions (such as pre-existing coronary artery disease)
