Hypertension in older adults

Isolated systolic hypertension and combined systolic and diastolic hyperten sion are clinical problems affecting significant numbers of older adults (> 65 years). Preventing the complications of hypertension, including stroke a nd coronary artery disease, may potentially impact not only an individual's sense of well-being, but also their functional status and ability to live independently in the community. Despite the increased absolute risk for car diovascular events associated with hypertension in older adults compared wi th younger adults, significant numbers of individuals remain untreated or i nadequately treated. There is clinical data to show that treating bath isol ated systolic hypertension and combined systolic and diastolic hypertension results in a significant reduction in cardiovascular events in older adult s. Although there is a growing body of literature on treatment of hypertens ion in the 60- to 80-year-old, the data on individuals greater than 80 year s old is lacking. The challenge becomes to treat hypertension safely in the presence of multiple medications and other diseases. (C) 2000 by the Natio nal Kidney Foundation, Inc.