Cardiovascular Medication in Elderly Patients

Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
Robert H G Schwinger

Abstract

Elderly people show increased probability to develop atherosclerotic diseases; in consequence heart failure - most often following coronary heart disease - as well as atrial fibrillation is more common. Following guidelines may lead to polypharmacy, i. e. use of more than 5 drugs daily. Thus, drug interactions as well as side effects become more likely; especially in elderly patients reduced kidney function has to be taken into account. Only drugs which have shown to prolong life or to reduce symptoms in controlled clinical trials should be used. There is little evidence to use low dose aspirin or lipid lowering agents in primary prevention especially in elderly. ACE inhibitors, β blocker and MRA are effective to improve symptoms and outcome in HFrEF but not in HFmEF or HFpEF. This also holds true for the elderly. Withdrawal of long term diuretic treatment in the elderly patients may lead to symptoms of heart failure or increase in blood pressure to hypertensive values often. In coronary heart disease ß blocker may be used to control symptoms as well as to reduce the need for coronary intervention following 1 year after myocardial infarction. Because the risk of stroke increases with age more than the risk of bleeding, the abso...Continue Reading

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