Management of Hypertension in the Elderly Population

Hypertension is common in people aged 65 and older. African Americans and women have a higher prevalence of hypertension than white individuals, and in those aged 70 and older, the hypertension was more poorly controlled than in those aged 60-69. The number of trials available in the elderly population compared with the general population are limited; hence, the database for strong recommendations as to goal blood pressure (BP) are limited. The American College of Cardiology with the American Heart Association has recently published a consensus report of management of hypertension in the elderly population. This review presents an overview of this consensus report and reviews specific studies that provide some novel findings regarding goal BP and progression of nephropathy. In general, the evidence strongly supports a BP goal of less than 150/80 mmHg. The evidence review for the consensus report supports a goal of < 150/80 mmHg for the elderly with scant data in those over age 80. However, it was decided to set the goal to less than 140/90 mmHg unless the patient cannot tolerate it and then try for 140-145 mmHg. The data are scant at best for those over age 80 mmHg but some evidence exists for < 150/80 mmHg. Diuretics and calcium antagonists are the most efficacious single agents for treatment; however, most patients will require two or more drugs to achieve such goals.