title: Hypertension in the elderly.
abstract: Hypertension in the elderly, when to treat, and with what to treat all remain controversial areas. Epidemiological data and demographic projections indicate the likelihood of a marked increase in the numbers of elderly with systolic and probably diastolic hypertension in the next 30 years. Systolic hypertension in the old can no longer be regarded as benign. The effect of intervention trials on mortality and morbidity in those over 65 fail to show consistent results, depending on the age span of the cohorts examined. When the physician decides to institute therapy, the increased prosperity of the old and very old to severe or life-incapacitating side effects must influence the drug of choice. Newer agents such as calcium antagonists and angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors are promising. Each new agent must be tested in an elderly population. There is increasing evidence that present treatment has a lessening influence on the course of hypertension and related events in those over 80 years.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents