What Should the Optimal Systolic Blood Pressure Goal Be in Treating Older Persons with Hypertension?

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the elderly.1 Hypertension occurs in 69% of persons with a first myocardial infarction,2 in 77% of those with a first stroke,2 in 74% of individuals with congestive heart failure,2 and in 60% of older adults with peripheral artery disease.3 Hypertension is also a major risk factor in older adults for dissecting aortic aneurysm, sudden cardiac death, angina pectoris, chronic kidney disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, the metabolic syndrome, vascular dementia, Alzheimer disease, and ophthalmologic disorders.
Source: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research