EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF ISOLATED SYSTOLIC HYPERTENSION IN THE ELDERLY POPULATION AS CEREBROVASCULAR RISK FACTOR

A large number of studies indicate that isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is an important cerebrovascular risk factor. This clinical stat e is very common in elderly people who are the most exposed to stroke risk. Therefore, it is important to know the real prevalence of ISH, i n order to predict the possible incidence of cerebrovascular disease i n the elderly population. In the Camerano study on hypertension, we ha ve verified the prevalence of ISH in the elderly. ISH has been conside red clinically when the systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was higher th an 160 mmHg, and the diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) was lower than 90 mmHg. In our study population, an ISH prevalence of 11.9% was found in the elderly (above 60 years of age); whereas in the adult populati on (between 30 and 60 years), it amounted only to 4.5%.