Humoral mechanisms in the pathogenesis of postprandial hypotension in patients with essential hypertension.

Objective: To examine the role of catecholamines and insulin in the development of postprandial hypotension (PPH) in hypertensive patients.

Patients: Forty patients with essential hypertension (25 men, 15 women, mean age 68 +/- 2 years).

Method: Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded in all subjects immediately after a 1903 kJ test meal and at 15-minute intervals for up to 1 hour after the meal.