Exercise-associated postural hypotension
- Definition: inability to stand or walk without assistance (i.e., collapse) after vigorous exertion
- Epidemiology: occurs most commonly in athletes (especially upon completion of endurance running)
- Pathophysiology
- During exercise, ↑ blood flow to muscles of the lower extremities → ↑ skeletal muscle pump activity → ↑ venous return to the heart
- Sudden cessation of exercise → loss of skeletal muscle pump activity → ↓ venous return → large volumes of blood pool in the lower extremities → postural hypotension → collapse
- Clinical features
- Dizziness, weakness (usually, no loss of consciousness)
- Body temperature is normal or mildly elevated.
- Diagnostics: diagnosis of exclusion