January 1, 1988
View Full PaperAntihypertensive Drug Treatment in Elderly Hypertensive Subjects
Structured PICO
Does antihypertensive drug treatment reduce cardiovascular mortality and events in elderly hypertensive subjects?
P
Population
Elderly hypertensive subjects
I
Intervention
Antihypertensive drug treatment
O
Outcome
Cardiovascular mortality and fatal/nonfatal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular eventshard clinical
Antihypertensive therapy in elderly patients reduces cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality and events, though evidence remains unclear for those over 80 or with isolated systolic hypertension.
Abstract
The different intervention trials in elderly hypertensive subjects are compatible with the hypothesis that antihypertensive drug treatment decreases cardiovascular mortality, mainly by a reduction of cerebrovascular mortality. Antihypertensive drug treatment in elderly hypertensive subjects also leads to a decrease in fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. It has not yet been proven whether antihypertensive drug treatment should be recommended for symptomless patients with isolated systolic hypertension and for patients with uncomplicated hypertension above the age of 80 years.