Hypertension treatment and the prevention of coronary heart disease in the elderly.

Abstract

Both isolated systolic hypertension (>140 mm Hg/<90 mm Hg) and systolic/diastolic hypertension (>140 mm Hg/>90 mm Hg) are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the elderly. Specific antihypertensive drug therapy is available if lifestyle interventions fail to reduce blood pressure to a normal level. Diuretics and beta blockers both reduce the occurrence of adverse events related to cerebrovascular disease; however, diuretics are more effective in reducing events related to coronary heart disease. Treated patients are less likely to develop severe hypertension or congestive heart failure. In most instances, low-dose diuretic therapy should be used as initial antihypertensive therapy in the elderly. A long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker may be used as alternative therapy in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Trials are being conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers in elderly patients with uncomplicated hypertension.

• Authors: M Moser
• Journal: American family physician (Am Fam Physician) Vol. 59 Issue 5 Pg. 1248-56 (Mar 01 1999) ISSN: 0002-838X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10088879 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Aged
• Coronary Disease (etiology, prevention & control)
• Diastole
• Humans
• Hypertension (complications, drug therapy, therapy)
• Risk
• Systole