title: Management of hypertension in the elderly. The case for 'hygienic' measures over drug therapy.
abstract: Elderly hypertensive patients form a significant part of our population. Intensive treatment with hygienic measures such as weight loss in patients over ideal weight and dietary salt restriction should be initiated and continued in this group with the help of a supportive physician. Such measures are often effective in lowering blood pressure and in making patients feel and function better. Physicians should realize that a change in lifestyle can be even more difficult for an elderly hypertensive than for a middle-aged or younger patient. Nonetheless, positive change is obtainable for many patients. Antihypertensive drug therapy should be reserved for those patients who, despite continuing observance of the hygienic measures for treatment, have diastolic blood pressure that is consistently above the 105 to 110 mm Hg range.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011613:Psychotherapy
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents