Optimize antihypertensive treatment in older individuals by using a decision framework

AbstractCurrent hypertension treatment guidelines differ somewhat with regard to their recommendations for treating older patients. Based on the characteristics of the individual, antihypertensive treatment can be optimized by using a decision framework that sets therapeutic goals, estimates absolute cardiovascular (CV) risk, accurately measures blood pressure (BP), determines threshold and target BP levels most likely to confer benefit, and considers situations that warrant deprescribing. In general, hypertension should be treated to a target systolic BP (SBP) of no lower than  130 mmHg in older patients who are fit and have high baseline SBP (≥ 160 mmHg), high baseline CV risk or established CV disease, and to a target SBP of 140–160 mmHg in patients who are frail, aged >  80 years without CV disease, or with certain co-morbid conditions.
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research