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Treatment of Hypertension in the Presence of Coexisting Medical Conditions

  • Review Article
  • Drug Therapy
  • Published:
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Summary

Treating hypertension reduces morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, hypertension often exists in patients with other medical conditions. In these patients, the selection of an antihypertensive agent is often influenced by the presence of the coexisting condition. Conversely, the treatment of the coexisting medical condition may be influenced by the presence of hypertension. Given the vast array of antihypertensive medications available today, appropriate treatment of both hypertension and coexisting conditions can be achieved with careful selection of medications. This review discusses factors to consider when treating elderly patients with hypertension with the following coexisting conditions: dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance, sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, renal disease and neuropsychiatric disorders. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and various states of high cardiac output may cause hypertension. These conditions should be identified, since they are often treatable with subsequent resolution of the hypertension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General and Preventive Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Box 741 UMHC, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA

    John Kvasnicka &  John M. Flack

  2. Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    John M. Flack

  3. Division of Cardiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Richard H. Grimm

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  1. John Kvasnicka
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  2. John M. Flack
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  3. Richard H. Grimm
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Kvasnicka, J., Flack, J.M. & Grimm, R.H. Treatment of Hypertension in the Presence of Coexisting Medical Conditions. Drugs & Aging 4, 304–312 (1994). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199404040-00003

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199404040-00003

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