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Published on: January 31, 2019

Systolic hypertension

David T Nash1

  • 1SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse Preventive Cardiology Center, Syracuse, NY, USA.

Geriatrics
|December 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Managing systolic hypertension is crucial for reducing cardiovascular mortality and stroke in older adults. Combination therapy, particularly with calcium-channel blockers and ACE inhibitors, shows promise for effective blood pressure control and improved tolerability.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension affects one-third of adults, with systolic hypertension being a significant concern in older populations.
  • Despite proven benefits, controlling systolic blood pressure remains a challenge in clinical practice.
  • Elevated systolic blood pressure is a major cardiovascular risk factor, contributing to mortality and stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review systolic blood pressure as a cardiovascular risk factor.
  • To discuss effective management strategies for elevated systolic blood pressure.
  • To emphasize the role of combination therapy in managing hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Review of large-scale clinical trials and scientific literature.
  • Analysis of systolic blood pressure as a cardiovascular risk factor.
  • Evaluation of combination therapy, specifically calcium-channel blockers and ACE inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • Treatment of isolated systolic and systolic/diastolic hypertension reduces mortality and stroke rates in older adults.
  • Combination therapy with calcium-channel blockers and ACE inhibitors demonstrates blood pressure-lowering efficacy.
  • This combination may offer additional benefits in tolerability and cognitive function.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of elevated systolic blood pressure is essential for cardiovascular health in older adults.
  • Combination therapy, particularly with calcium-channel blockers and ACE inhibitors, is a key strategy for improving blood pressure control.
  • Metabolically neutral agents in combination may enhance patient outcomes beyond blood pressure reduction.

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