Postural Tachycardia
March 28th, 2020
Overview
How To Elicit
- Measure the heart rate with the patient lying down, and then remeasure it after the patient has been standing for one minute.
Interpretation
- Postural tachycardia is present if there is a rise of >20bpm following standing.
Causes of Postural Tachycardia
- Reduced intravascular volume - dehydration, haemorrhage
- Cardiac - congestive cardiac failure, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, constrictive pericarditis, aortic stenosis
- Drugs - nitrates, anticholinergics, antidepressants, antihypertensives, levodopa
- Prolonged bed rest
- Alcohol
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