[Calcium channel blockers in the elderly with hypertension].
Administered alone, calcium entry blockers (CEB) are effective antihypertensive agents in the aged, and their blood pressure lowering action is similar to that of other antihypertensive drugs. CEB may be regarded as alternatives to diuretics in the elderly, and they should be used instead of diuretics when these are contraindicated. The effectiveness of CEB might be explained by some characteristics of old age, such as elevated mean blood pressure, reduced plasma renin activity, blunted sympathetic activity, altered drug pharmacokinetics and so forth. CEB appear to have a favourable metabolic profile and to be as safe in the elderly as in younger patients. The beneficial effects of CEB on mortality, morbidity and quality of life in geriatric hypertension still need to be established.
M'Buyamba Kabangu
J R
JR
Département de Médecine Interne, Université de Kinshasa (Unikin), Zaïre.
Lusamba Dikassa
D
D
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010919:Placebos
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D010919:Placebos
Inhibiteurs calciques chez le sujet âgé hypertendu.