Managing Hypertension in the Elderly: What is Different, What is the Same?

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe goal is to discuss management of hypertension in the elderly.Recent FindingsAt 3.14-year follow-up of 2636 persons ≥75 years in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), compared with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal of<140  mmHg, a SBP goal of<120  mmHg reduced the primary endpoint of myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndrome, stroke, heart failure, or cardiovascular death by 34% (p = 0.001), all-cause mortality by 33% (p = 0.009), heart failure by 38% (p = 0.003), and the primary outcome or death by 32% (p <  0.001). Absolute cardiovascular event rates were lower for the intensive treatment group within each frailty stratum. The incidence of serious adverse events was similar in both treatment groups.SummaryThe SPRINT trial provides very important information on the efficacy and safety of lowering the SBP to<120  mmHg in elderly adults with hypertension.
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research