title: [The treatment of hypertension in the elderly : can it be done safely?].
abstract: The treatment of arterial hypertension is important for the prevention of stroke and heart failure even in very old hypertensive patients, but represents a challenge in terms of safety and quality of life. Confirmation of the diagnosis with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring or BP monitoring at home is important. A systolic BP of 150 mmHg (135-140 mmHg with out-of-office measures) is an acceptable cut-off value for both the diagnosis of hypertension and as a target for treatment. The fear of drug-induced orthostatic hypotension is only rarely a reason not to treat. However, in the context of co-morbidities, the risk of other side effects is considerable. Blood pressure may decrease over time, reducing the requirements for anti-hypertensive therapy. Cautious drug prescription, avoiding exceedingly intensive treatments plans, is important for treatment adequacy and safety.
authors.affiliation: Service de gériatrie, Département de médecine interne, réhabilitation et gériatrie, Hôpital des Trois-Chêne, HUG, 1226 Thônex.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adamopoulos
authors.forename: U M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Vischer
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents