Hypertension in the elderly: a review of the importance of systolic blood pressure elevation.

The Journal of Clinical Hypertension
Jan Basile

Abstract

The elderly, those 65 years of age and older, will account for 20% of the population by the year 2040. Hypertension affects more than one half of the elderly and its prevalence continues to increase with age. The presence of hypertension confers an increased risk of stroke, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, end-stage renal disease, and death. Although both diastolic and systolic blood pressure elevations are independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk in the younger individual, as vascular compliance becomes reduced at age 60, an increasing systolic blood pressure and lower diastolic blood pressure (or wider pulse pressure) increase cardiovascular risk in the elderly. Isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of hypertension seen in the elderly. Lifestyle modification, including weight loss and salt restriction, reduces blood pressure, and may decrease the need for pharmacologic therapy. When the systolic blood pressure is 160 mm Hg or more and the diastolic blood pressure is <90 mm Hg, the initial use of a diuretic-based or calcium channel blocker-based regimen improves outcome. Alpha blocker therapy should not be used as initial monotherapy. Most elderly hypertensives will require ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 4, 2004·Aging Clinical and Experimental Research·Khalid A Jassim Al KhajaAwatif H H Damanhori
Jul 21, 2004·International Journal of Cardiology·J Miguel Rivera OteroUNKNOWN Grupo de Disfunción VI, Comunidad Valenciana
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Jul 3, 2003·The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing·Eileen M Stuart-ShorDaniel E Forman
Oct 8, 2004·The Journal of Clinical Hypertension·Thomas G Pickering

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