[Blood pressure in the aged]

Abstract

The study, based on datas of an inquiry by the association for the study of problems of the elderly, shows the epidemiology of arterial hypertension in a population aged over 65 years. 46% of the 48o examined persons from Basel and Berne had diastolic blood pressure values greater than or equal to 95 mmHg. 40% of those hypertensives were treated under control, 12% treated without control, 13% not treated at all, and 35% unknown. The percentage of the unknown hypertensives suggests, that the recording of the increased blood pressure is improvable in this age group. The high prevalence of hypertension in the elderly population as well as the grave consequences complications caused by hypertension should call our attention to the recording and treatment of arterial hypertension in the elderly.