title: [Hypertension and old age].
abstract: Pharmacotherapy of hypertension in the aged does not differ qualitatively but only quantitatively from that in use for younger patients. Adjusted, usually lower doses of diuretics, beta-blocking agents, ACE-inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers are the basic drugs. Individual aging processes and concomitant diseases determine the choice of drugs in the elderly (individualized therapy). All substances are initially prescribed at very low dose. The increasing infirmity of the aged often associated with tiredness, dyspnea and dizziness even without treatment requires careful instruction of the patient about effects and side effects of the prescribed medication. The old WHO-guidelines (systolic BP greater than or equal to 160, diastolic BP greater than or equal to 95 mm mercury) should be maintained for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. However antihypertensive therapy in patients over 80 years of age and in those with marginally elevated diastolic or solely elevated systolic pressure is controversial today.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vetter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
vernacular_title: Hypertonie und Alter.