Calcium antagonists as antihypertensive agents are effective in all age groups

Calcium antagonists have added a new dimension to the therapy of hypertension. They have proved to be versatile, effective drugs for the short- and long-term management of hypertension. Since these drugs have favourable effects on tissue blood flow, they offer the hope of providing tissue protection in hypertensive patients. Some investigators have claimed that the effectiveness of calcium antagonists in hypertension is age-dependent, older subjects showing a better response than younger individuals. However, a careful analysis reveals that calcium antagonists are effective in all age groups and the magnitude of response may be related to the level of pretreatment blood pressure.