title: Protection: risk ratio of antihypertensive drug treatment in the elderly.
abstract: In recent controlled trials using clinic-based manometry, thiazides and beta-blockers prevented cerebrovascular and coronary deaths in patients aged 60-79 years with cryptogenic hypertension (diastolic 90-119 mm Hg). Elderly patients should usually take low-dose thiazide with potassium replacement. beta-Blockers also postpone death, but may mask hypoglycaemia. Calcium blockers and low-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors appear preferable in diabetes, and thiazides or ACE inhibitors in heart failure or peripheral vascular disease. Maintaining average diastolic pressure at 80-84 mm Hg impairs function of the kidneys, and possibly the myocardium. Metabolic reactions worsen with age. Drug treatment should match individual daily function. By clinic manometry, the protection:risk ratio of antihypertensive treatment progressively decreases with age, reaching less than 1.0 in patients over 80-85 years. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure information should guide treatment more reliably in patients greater than or equal to 60 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents