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Published on: May 26, 2022
[Modern treatment of hypertension in older patients (author's transl)]
Insights
Hypertension management in older adults requires careful consideration of aortic stiffness and co-existing conditions. Gradual blood pressure reduction and initial use of diuretics or vasodilators are recommended for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Aging population presents unique challenges in hypertension management.
- Distinguishing arteriosclerotic hypertension from true hypertension in the elderly is crucial.
- Older patients often have long-standing hypertension with increased peripheral resistance and low cardiac output.
Purpose:
- To outline therapeutic strategies for hypertension in older individuals.
- To emphasize the need for cautious blood pressure management in elderly patients with comorbidities.
- To identify appropriate first-line pharmacologic agents for geriatric hypertension.
Summary:
- Therapy for hypertension in older patients generally mirrors that in younger individuals but necessitates slower blood pressure reduction.
- Diuretics or vasodilating agents are often the preferred initial choice due to typical physiological changes in older hypertensive patients.
- Beta-blockers and ganglion-blocking agents require cautious administration in this demographic.
- Non-pharmacological interventions like salt restriction are valuable for blood pressure control.
Impact:
- Informs clinical practice for managing hypertension in the elderly.
- Highlights the importance of individualized treatment plans considering comorbidities.
- Contributes to improved cardiovascular outcomes in aging populations through optimized hypertension management.
Abstract:
In aged people a differentiation has to be made between "arteriosklerotic hypertension" due to increased stiffness of the aorta and true hypertension in older patients. The therapy of hypertension in older patients principally is the same as in younger individuals; however, blood pressure should be lowered slowly with the respect to concomitant diseases of the kidney, coronary arteriosclerosis and heart failure. Usually, in older patients there long-standing hypertension with increased peripheral resistance and low cardiac output. Therefore, a diuretic or vasodilating agent may be the drug of first choice. Betablockers are not generally contraindicated, but given with caution. The same is true for ganglionblocking agents. In a large number of cases salt restriction and general measures will lead to a suitable blood pressure control.
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