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The Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial - latest data
Omar Mukhtar1, Stephen H D Jackson
1King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK. o.mukhtar@nhs.net
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|August 18, 2012
Summary
Antihypertensive therapy in octogenarians significantly reduces mortality and morbidity. Recent findings suggest it may also decrease cognitive impairment and fractures in the very elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Early hypertension trials focused on middle-aged adults.
- Evidence for treating hypertension in older adults has expanded over time.
- The Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (Hy-VET) provided crucial data for octogenarians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial.
- To evaluate recent data on antihypertensive therapy in the very elderly.
- To assess the benefits of treating hypertension in octogenarians.
Main Methods:
- Review of published data from the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial.
- Analysis of additional cohort data.
- Evaluation of a 1-year open-label extension study.
Main Results:
- Antihypertensive therapy in octogenarians demonstrated significant benefits in mortality and morbidity.
- Recent data suggests a potential reduction in incident cognitive impairment.
- Further analysis indicated a possible decrease in fracture incidence.
Conclusions:
- Antihypertensive therapy is beneficial for octogenarians.
- Treatment may offer additional advantages for cognitive function and fracture prevention.
- The Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial remains a cornerstone in understanding hypertension management in the very old.
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