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Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension

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Abstract

Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is the dominant form of hypertension in the elderly. It is associated with increased arterial pulse pressure, to which an early-returning and magnified pulse-wave reflection makes an important contribution. Treatment of ISH with diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and angiotensin II inhibitors is effective in reducing systolic blood pressure, preventing cardiovascular morbid events, and lowering mortality; these agents may have to be used in combination to achieve the systolic blood pressure goal of < 140 mm Hg. Treatment with β-blockers appears to be less effective. The relative efficacy of various classes of antihypertensive drugs for lowering pulse pressure and systolic blood pressure is determined in part by their differing abilities to reduce pulse-wave reflection. In patients with ISH that is refractory to dual or triple therapy, measurement of the reflected wave by applanation tonometry may be useful in determining which additional antihypertensive agent to use.

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  1. P.O. Box 666, 2103, Mona Vale, NSW, Australia

    Gordon S. Stokes MBBS, MD, FRACP

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Correspondence to Gordon S. Stokes MBBS, MD, FRACP.

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Stokes, G.S. Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension. Current Science Inc 8, 377–383 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-006-0081-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-006-0081-0

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