An unusual decline in blood pressure that occurs right after taking a meal is referred to as postprandial hypotension. Older people, people suffering from high blood pressure or those with diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy (Shy-Drager syndrome), and diabetes that affects the central nervous system are most vulnerable to this disease. The prevalence of this disease in case of children, however, is very low.

Some of the major symptoms of this cardiovascular disease are faintness or dizziness. When an individual experiences such symptoms, his/her intestines need a higher quantity of blood for the digestion of food. In such patients, when blood flows to their intestines, their heart rate does not increase accordingly, because the blood vessels do not contract adequately to maintain blood pressure. This causes the individual's blood pressure to be lower than normal.

To maintain good health, people with postprandial hypotension should eat foods that are low on carbohydrates. Also, they should take food in smaller amounts but a greater number of meals. They should avoid taking any antihypertensive medicines before meals, and rest for a while after each meal. Drugs such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help to maintain a healthy and constant blood pressure. However, in extreme cases, patients must be injected with octreotide to ease the flow of blood in and out of the intestine.