Hypertension in the elderly

Abstract

There is no doubt that hypertension is of importance to the health of the elderly, in terms of both mortality and disability. There is mounting evidence that antihypertensive therapy is effective in reducing target organ disease. More data are needed to arrive at optimal treatment regimens and to examine the efficacy of therapy in pure systolic hypertension. A stepped care, cautious approach to therapy should prove to be safe and beneficial.