Antihypertensive therapy in the geriatric patient. I: A review of the role of calcium channel blockers.
Animal and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of calcium channel blockers in reducing blood pressure, especially in older patients whose hypertension is characterized by increased peripheral vascular resistance. Their chemical heterogeneity, which permits targeted therapy, as well as their minimal side effects, drug interactions, and clinical utility in numerous pathophysiologic states common to the elderly, enhance the suitability of calcium channel blockers in treating mild to moderate hypertension in this subgroup. This is particularly relevant for those patients who have concomitant conditions, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or peripheral vascular disease, and for whom many of the more traditional antihypertensive drugs are either contraindicated or might cause a worsening of the disease.
Piepho
R W
RW
University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Pharmacy 64110-2499.
Sowers
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009529:Nicardipine; D004110:Diltiazem; D009543:Nifedipine