Antihypertensive treatment in elderly hypertensives: implications of the MEHP study.
Present evidence from several secondary and primary preventive trials indicates that if antihypertensive treatment is initiated with a beta-blocker, a better preventive effect on total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and atherosclerotic complications can be expected than if diuretics are used as initial therapy. Results from a recent large-scale multicenter international study (MEHP) have shown that a regimen initiating antihypertensive treatment with 100 mg metoprolol once daily is effective, safe, and well-tolerated in elderly hypertensive patients. This might be of particular importance since a steep increase in cardiovascular mortality and other atherosclerotic complications is seen with age.
Wikstrand
J
J
Department of Clinical Physiology, Sahlgrenska Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D008790:Metoprolol