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Treatment considerations for the hypertensive patient over age 55

C P Tifft1

  • 1Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02164.

Clinical Cardiology
|August 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension treatment in older adults (over 55) can reduce complications, though systolic hypertension treatment is less understood. Special considerations are needed due to physiological changes and potential drug interactions in the elderly.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension prevalence significantly increases with age, with most affected individuals over 55.
  • Older hypertensive patients face risks for major cardiovascular and renal complications, potentially higher for sudden death and dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the challenges and considerations in managing hypertension in patients over age 55.
  • To highlight the benefits of pharmacotherapy in reducing diastolic hypertension complications in the elderly.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on age-related physiological changes affecting hypertension management.
  • Analysis of pharmacotherapy outcomes for diastolic hypertension in older populations.
  • Consideration of factors impacting therapeutic compliance in the elderly.

Main Results:

  • Pharmacotherapy effectively reduces diastolic hypertension complications in individuals over 55.
  • Older adults exhibit unique physiological alterations (e.g., reduced renal function, altered baroreceptor reflexes) impacting treatment.
  • Pseudohypertension due to arteriosclerosis is a consideration in elderly patients.

Conclusions:

  • Managing hypertension in older adults requires tailored approaches due to physiological changes, comorbidities, and compliance issues.
  • While systolic hypertension treatment needs further understanding, diastolic hypertension pharmacotherapy offers significant benefits for this population.

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