Key result
Antihypertensive therapy reduces CV events in older adults despite persistently low real-world control rates.
Why the study?
Hypertension remains poorly controlled in older patients in the United States despite increased awareness and therapy and evidence supporting treatment benefits.
Highlights the persistent gap between the proven benefits of antihypertensive therapy and the actual control rates achieved in elderly patients.
Supports antihypertensive use in older adults; leaves open how to close persistent US control gaps.
Awareness of and therapy for hypertension in the United States have been increasing in older patients. Despite this improvement, hypertension continues to be poorly controlled in this patient population. The control rate, defined as systolic blood pressure less than 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, is surprisingly low for older patients, despite abundant data documenting the reduction of cardiovascular events by treating both systolic-diastolic and isolated systolic hypertension. Comorbid diseases and physiological alterations in the elderly, including reduced myocardial contractility, renal function, total body water, baroreceptor responsiveness, and cognitive function, must be considered, but in general these have not limited the effectiveness of antihypertensive drug therapy.
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Prisant et al. (2000) conducted a review in Hypertension. Antihypertensive drug therapy was evaluated. Antihypertensive drug therapy effectively reduces cardiovascular events in older patients, though blood pressure control rates (<140/90 mm Hg) remain surprisingly low in the United States.
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