Heart failure in the elderly: is beta-blockade the standard of care?
Heart failure is a significant problem among the elderly. Although many nonpharmacologic interventions, such as dietary sodium restriction, and drug therapy with digoxin and angiotensin-converting enzymes are considered to be the standard of care, ss-blockers have recently been shown to improve survival and reduce morbidity when added to the standard regimen. Although studies have demonstrated a significant benefit of ss-blockers, the drugs remain underutilized, partly from concerns about tolerability. Adapting a "start low, go slow" approach and titrating dosage upward can lessen tolerability issues and improve usage among the elderly.
Deedwania
Prakash C
PC
Cardiology Division, Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Fresno, CA 93703, USA. deed@ucsfresno.edu
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists