Very old community-dwelling hypertensive patients exhibited high rates of isolated systolic hypertension (90% among those with BP >=140/90 mmHg) and orthostatic BP abnormalities.
Cross-Sectional (n=128)
No
Very old community-dwelling hypertensive patients exhibit significant heterogeneity in blood pressure and frailty, with high rates of isolated systolic hypertension and orthostatic abnormalities, highlighting the need for comprehensive BP assessment.
Objective: Very old adults, defined as adults of 80 years and over, represent a heterogeneous and understudied population. This registry aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of very old community-dwelling hypertensive patients in Greece, for whom limited data are available. Design and method: We conducted a cross-sectional study of consecutive community-dwelling hypertensive patients aged 80 years and above evaluated at a reference Hypertension Unit between April 2025 and December 2025. Office blood pressure (BP) measurements in the seated and standing positions at the first and third minute, frailty status using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) using Sphygmocor XCEL were recorded. Results: Data from 128 patients were analyzed (mean age 83.7±3.6 years, 48% women, body mass index 29.1±6.1 kg/m2, mean office BP 132±20/70±11 mmHg, 91% treated, mean number of antihypertensive drugs 2.7±1.5). Among treated participants, 41% received combination therapy. Regarding office systolic BP (SBP), 31% of the patients had SBP =160mmHg. Among patients with office BP >=140/90 mmHg, 90% had isolated systolic hypertension. Pulse pressure >=60mmHg was present in 53% of the patients, while interarm BP difference >=10mmHg was observed in 27%. Orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension were detected in 5% and 20% of the patients, respectively. Mean cfPWV values were 11.6±1.6 m/s in patients with SBP =140mmHg. Regarding frailty, 66% had preserved functional status (CFS categories 1–3), 27% had loss of function but preserved autonomy for the activities of daily living (CFS categories 4–5), and 7% had severe loss of functionality and autonomy (CFS categories 6–7). Conclusions: Very old community-dwelling hypertensive patients exhibit heterogeneity in BP levels, and frailty status. A high prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension, increased pulse pressure, interarm BP difference, and orthostatic BP abnormalities was observed. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive BP assessment—including standing and bilateral measurements in this growing population.
Vakka et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=128). Hypertension in very old adults was evaluated on Clinical characteristics, blood pressure patterns, and frailty status. Very old community-dwelling hypertensive patients exhibited high rates of isolated systolic hypertension (90% among those with BP >=140/90 mmHg) and orthostatic BP abnormalities.