What Should Be the Target Blood Pressure in Elderly Patients With Diabetes?

Hypertension is very common in elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes. The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes can be devastating to the cardiovascular system, and in these patients, tight blood pressure (BP) control is particularly beneficial. Little information is available regarding the target BP levels in elderly hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes, and therefore extrapolation from data in the general population should be done. However, it is difficult to extrapolate from the general population to these frail individuals, who usually have isolated systolic hypertension, comorbidities, organ damage, cardiovascular disease, and renal failure and have a high rate of orthostatic and postprandial hypotension. On the basis of the available evidence, we provide arguments supporting the individualized approach in these patients. Target BP should be based on concomitant diseases, orthostatic BP changes, and the general condition of the patients. It is recommended to lower BP in the elderly patient with diabetes to <140-150/90 mmHg, providing the patient is in good condition. In patients with isolated systolic hypertension, the same target is reasonable providing the diastolic BP is >60 mmHg. In patients with coronary artery disease and in patients with orthostatic hypotension, excessive BP lowering should be avoided. In elderly hypertensive patients with diabetes, BP levels should be monitored closely in the sitting and the standing position, and the treatment should be tailored to prevent excessive fall in BP.