Hypertension in the elderly: can we improve results of therapy?
Awareness of and therapy for hypertension in the United States have been increasing in older patients. Despite this improvement, hypertension continues to be poorly controlled in this patient population. The control rate, defined as systolic blood pressure less than 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, is surprisingly low for older patients, despite abundant data documenting the reduction of cardiovascular events by treating both systolic-diastolic and isolated systolic hypertension. Comorbid diseases and physiological alterations in the elderly, including reduced myocardial contractility, renal function, total body water, baroreceptor responsiveness, and cognitive function, must be considered, but in general these have not limited the effectiveness of antihypertensive drug therapy.
Prisant
L M
LM
Section of Cardiology, Hypertension Unit, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 39012-3105, USA.
Moser
M
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents