SYSTOLIC HYPERTENSION IN THE ELDERLY - SAFE TREATMENT WITH LOW-DOSE THIAZIDE DIURETICS

Low doses of thiazide diuretics are effective in controlling isolated systolic hypertension in most elderly patients. These agents are well tolerated and do not appear to adversely affect quality of life. Bioch emical adverse effects are minimal with low doses. Of greatest importa nce, thiazide diuretics are the only class of antihypertensives that h as been shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular events in patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Recent studies showed all these advan tages with both chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide therapy, althou gh low-dose hydrochlorothiazide may cause less hypokalemia in the elde rly than does chlorthalidone.