title: Epidemiology of systolic and diastolic systemic blood pressure elevation in the elderly.
abstract: The percentage of the U.S. population older than 65 years has increased faster than the U.S. population as a whole, from 8.1% in 1950 to 11.2% in 1979. Primary among the many factors contributing to increased life expectancy are the improved detection, treatment and control of blood pressure (BP), which has contributed to lower cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality in the elderly. The relation of elevated diastolic BP to increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the elderly is well documented; recent findings show increased risk associated with systolic hypertension, as well. More than half of the elderly population of 22 million has borderline or definite systemic hypertension. Almost 60% of the mortality associated with elevated BP is attributable to mild hypertension, i.e., diastolic BP of 90 to 104 mm Hg. In addition, more than 10% of persons older than 65 years have isolated systolic hypertension, i.e., greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg. The value of treating mild, moderate and severe elevation of diastolic BP in reducing mortality in the elderly is well known; the value of treating isolated systolic hypertension in this population is under investigation.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States