The acute antihypertensive effect of ketanserin increases with age

The relationship between the acute blood pressure lowering effect of ketanserin with age was investigated in 57 patients ranging from 25 to 90 years (mean 61 years). There was a highly significant correlation between the degree of reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and age, independent of the starting blood pressure. The fact that the acute blood pressure-lowering effect of ketanserin increases with age may suggest a role for serotonin in blood pressure regulation, particularly in elderly patients.