Hypertension in the elderly: unique challenges and management

Clin Geriatr Med. 2013 Aug;29(3):593-609. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2013.05.002.

Abstract

Elderly individuals, worldwide, are on the rise, posing new challenges to care providers. Hypertension is highly prevalent in elderly individuals, and multiple challenges face care providers while managing it. In addition to treating hypertension, the physician must treat other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in patients with or without diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease to reduce cardiovascular events and mortality. This review discusses some of the unique characteristics of high blood pressure in the elderly and provides an overview of the challenges facing care providers, as well as the current recommendations for management of hypertension in the elderly.

Keywords: Elderly; Epidemiology; Hypertension; Management; Pathophysiology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Antihypertensive Agents* / classification
  • Antihypertensive Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology*
  • Disease Management
  • Drug Monitoring
  • Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / drug therapy
  • Hypertension* / epidemiology
  • Hypertension* / etiology
  • Hypertension* / physiopathology
  • Patient Selection
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / epidemiology*
  • Risk Adjustment
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents