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Treatment of hypertension in the elderly
H H Ooi1, P L Coleman, J Duggan
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, University College Dublin, Ireland. hooi@mater.ie
Insights
Hypertension affects over half of elderly patients, increasing cardiovascular risks. This review examines treatment strategies, optimal blood pressure targets, and ongoing trials for managing hypertension in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension is highly prevalent in elderly patients, exceeding 50%.
- It represents a significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale for antihypertensive treatment in the elderly.
- To discuss the selection of appropriate antihypertensive therapies and optimal blood pressure targets.
- To summarize current clinical trials in this field.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies and clinical trials.
- Analysis of current guidelines and expert opinions on hypertension management in the elderly.
- Synthesis of data on efficacy and safety of various antihypertensive agents.
Main Results:
- The review covers the rationale, therapeutic choices, and target blood pressures for elderly hypertension.
- Ongoing clinical trials are summarized, highlighting areas of active research.
- Key questions regarding optimal blood pressure reduction and long-term outcomes remain.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of hypertension in the elderly is crucial for reducing cardiovascular events.
- Further research is needed to determine optimal treatment targets and compare long-term outcomes of newer agents versus established ones.
- The optimal level of blood pressure reduction and the comparative long-term efficacy and safety of newer antihypertensive agents require further investigation.
Abstract:
Hypertension is present in over 50% of elderly patients and constitutes a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This paper reviews the rationale for treating hypertension in the elderly, discusses the choice of antihypertensive therapy and optimal target blood pressure, and summarizes ongoing clinical trials. The major questions that remain to be answered are the optimal level of blood pressure reduction in the elderly and the long-term efficacy and safety of newer antihypertensive agents compared with diuretics and beta-blockers.