Treatment of hypertension in the elderly.
This review discusses the pathophysiology and treatment of hypertension in the elderly. Evidence of the risks associated with systolic hypertension in particular is discussed in relation to the elderly population. The results of recent large-scale, placebo-controlled trials of hypertension in the elderly, including the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, the Swedish Trial in Old Patients with Hypertension, and the Medical Research Council trials, confirm the benefits of treatment in this population. However, pathophysiologic processes in the elderly may predispose them to drug side effects; therefore, selection of appropriate therapy is critical to the success of treatment. Various treatment options are available that may be suitable in subsets of the elderly population, particularly when low-dose regimens are used. Indapamide, a sulfonamide diuretic, may be particularly well suited for treatment of hypertension in the elderly because of its demonstrated efficacy and safety at low doses.
Levine
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VA Medical Center, Nephrology Section, Los Angeles, CA 90073.
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*