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Hypertension Management in the Elderly

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Management of Hypertension

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Abstract

Hypertension is the most powerful risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality globally, especially in the elderly population. In view of aging populations and the high prevalence of hypertension among the elderly, the benefits of lowering blood pressure in the United States and other societies include decreased fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events and total mortality. Evidence-based guidelines have supported practitioners in carefully treating this special population. Nevertheless, the guidelines have provided inconsistent recommendations regarding target blood pressure in the elderly. There is a delicate balance between both the benefits (including preserving autonomy and quality of life) and the harms of antihypertensive therapy that should be considered when treating the elderly population. This chapter highlights past and recent trials among elderly hypertensive patients and summarizes major current and emerging guideline considerations in the elderly population. First step agents include diuretics and calcium channel blockers with additional agents as needed (depending upon compelling indications), to lower blood pressure and decrease cardiovascular outcomes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Research & Leadership, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Samar A. Nasser

  2. Tulane Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Keith C. Ferdinand

Authors
  1. Samar A. Nasser
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  2. Keith C. Ferdinand
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Correspondence to Keith C. Ferdinand .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Georgetown University and VA Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    Vasilios Papademetriou

  2. Fourth Internal Medicine Department, Evangelismos State General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Emmanuel A. Andreadis

  3. Fourth Internal Medicine Department, Evangelismos State General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Charalampia Geladari

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Nasser, S.A., Ferdinand, K.C. (2019). Hypertension Management in the Elderly. In: Papademetriou, V., Andreadis, E., Geladari, C. (eds) Management of Hypertension. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92946-0_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92946-0_6

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