Hypertension in the elderly: what is the goal blood pressure target and how can this be attained?
For the aging populations of Europe, many emerging health problems in addition to myocardial infarction and stroke are associated with hypertension. Recently, the role of hypertension in the risk of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia has been highlighted, and there are studies to show that control of hypertension may slow this process. Furthermore, as many elderly individuals will also develop type 2 diabetes or impaired renal function, the risk of hypertension in these patients is more pronounced. New guidelines have tried to provide evidence-based treatment algorithms in which control of hypertension is just one aspect of general risk factor control, with the aim of decreasing the total risk.
Carlberg
Bo
B
Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, S-901 85, Umeå, Sweden.
Nilsson
Peter M
PM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000592:standards*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D005060:Europe; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020299:Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents