title: [Cardiovascular regulation as a function of age. Determinants of antihypertensive treatment based on beta-blockers and calcium inhibitors].
abstract: The age of patients is an essential factor in the development, duration and severity of hypertension. In essential hypertension there is a change in sympathetic cardiovascular control; during the initial phase, there is an increased response of the beta-adrenergic receptors, i.e. increased cardiac output and plasma renin activity. This response then becomes attenuated and vasoconstriction due to alpha-adrenergic stimulation is observed, accompanied by an increase in intracellular sodium and free calcium. The physiopathological concept of essential hypertension has pharmacotherapeutic implications. In young patients, who often have high renin levels, a better response is observed to monotherapy with betablockers and to treatment with converting enzyme inhibitors. Older patients, who usually have low renins, do not respond as well to betablockers but good results are obtained with calcium antagonists as an alternative to diuretic therapy. Betablockers and calcium antagonists are now the corner store of antihypertensive therapy aimed at protecting the heart.
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Bühler
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D002118:Calcium
vernacular_title: Régulation cardiovasculaire en fonction de l'âge. Déterminants d'un traitement antihypertenseur basé sur les bêtabloquants et les inhibiteurs du calcium.