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Hypertension in the Elderly: What Is the Goal Blood Pressure Target and How Can This Be Attained?

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Abstract

For the aging populations of Europe, many emerging health problems in addition to myocardial infarction and stroke are associated with hypertension. Recently, the role of hypertension in the risk of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia has been highlighted, and there are studies to show that control of hypertension may slow this process. Furthermore, as many elderly individuals will also develop type 2 diabetes or impaired renal function, the risk of hypertension in these patients is more pronounced. New guidelines have tried to provide evidence-based treatment algorithms in which control of hypertension is just one aspect of general risk factor control, with the aim of decreasing the total risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden

    Peter M. Nilsson

  2. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, S-901 85, Umeå, Sweden

    Bo Carlberg

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  1. Bo Carlberg
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  2. Peter M. Nilsson
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Correspondence to Peter M. Nilsson.

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Carlberg, B., Nilsson, P.M. Hypertension in the Elderly: What Is the Goal Blood Pressure Target and How Can This Be Attained?. Curr Hypertens Rep 12, 331–334 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-010-0138-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-010-0138-y

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