A recent ARIC study found that transient increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP) upon standing do not significantly predict cardiovascular risk, challenging the traditional emphasis on orthostatic hypertension as a standalone factor.
However, a standing SBP of ≥140 mm Hg was strongly linked to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, and mortality over 30 years. This suggests that sustained hypertension in the standing position may be a critical determinant of long-term cardiovascular risk.
These findings highlight the need to redefine orthostatic hypertension and emphasize standing SBP in clinical evaluations to improve cardiovascular risk assessment and management strategies.
