[Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy in old age]

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 26, 2025

Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine
10:05

Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine

Published on: July 7, 2016

8.3K

Martin Schulz1,2, Dietmar Trenk3, Ulrich Laufs4

  • 1Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland. m.schulz@fu-berlin.de.

Herz
|June 12, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Older adults with multiple conditions often require numerous medications. This review details pharmacotherapy for common cardiovascular diseases in elderly patients, addressing evidence gaps.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Context:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are leading causes of death and disability.
  • Increasing prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in older populations.
  • Limited clinical trial data on drug efficacy and safety in elderly patients with multiple conditions.

Purpose:

  • To review pharmacotherapy options for hypertension, heart failure, and dyslipidemia in older adults.
  • To discuss antithrombotic treatment strategies for elderly patients.
  • To highlight challenges in managing polypharmacy in geriatric cardiovascular care.

Summary:

  • Focuses on evidence-based pharmacotherapy for hypertension, chronic heart failure, and dyslipidemia in the elderly.
  • Addresses antithrombotic therapy considerations for older individuals.
  • Acknowledges limitations in clinical trial data for this demographic.

Impact:

  • Aims to improve pharmacotherapeutic strategies for elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases and polypharmacy.
  • Provides guidance for clinicians managing complex geriatric cardiovascular conditions.
  • Contributes to optimizing treatment outcomes and patient safety in older adults with CVDs.

Keywords:
AgedCardiovascular systemDrug therapyMedication adherencePolypharmacy

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exercise Test for Evaluation of the Functional Efficacy of the Pig Cardiovascular System02:47

Author Spotlight: Exercise Test for Evaluation of the Functional Efficacy of the Pig Cardiovascular System

Published on: May 12, 2023

1.4K
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program04:24

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

11.6K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
18
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
16
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
469
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications01:18

Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications

Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However,...
2.9K
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
11
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
15