World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

REVIEW ON RATIONAL AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY

Mohammed Safi Ur-Rahman, Syed Muneb Ahmed, Govinda Nayak, Juzer Sabuwala and S. P. Srinivas Nayak*

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly. It is defined as persistently elevated arterial blood pressure(BP). Hypertension is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths in India. Both SBP and DBP increase with age. In elderly persons there are specific underlying mechanisms of HTN, including mechanical hemodynamic changes, arterial stiffness, neurohormonal and autonomic dysregulation, and the aging kidney. The goals and strategies for treating hypertension in the elderly population are different from, and more challenging than, in younger patients. Lifestyle modification is effective in this population, but it is difficult to maintain There is often a debate about which antihypertensive drug class should be used first in elderly patients with hypertension. Combination of low dose diuretic (chlorthalidone) and a beta blocker(Atenolol) appears to be suitable first line therapy in vast majority of elderly hypertensive patients, even CCB‘s(Amlodipine) can be substituted for Atenolol. Complex and multiple drug regimes should be avoided in elderly patients as they may be confusing.

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