Commentary on treatment of hypertension in the elderly

The goal of treatment of hypertension in older persons is to lower the bloo d pressure to < 140/90 mm Hg. Older persons with diastolic hypertension sho uld have their diastolic blood pressure lowered to 80 to 85 mm Hg. The bloo d pressure should be lowered to 130/85 mm Hg in persons with diabetes melli tus or renal insufficiency and to 125/75 mm Hg in persons with proteinuria of 1 gram per 24 hours. Diuretics or beta blockers should be used as initia l drugs in the treatment of hypertension. The choice of antihypertensive dr ug in older persons with associated medical conditions depends on the assoc iated medical conditions.