Arterial hypertension in patients of advanced age. A structured review

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is common, and continues to be a significant risk factor in patients of advanced age. Objective: To identify the most important features and the current recommendations in the treatment of arterial hypertension in patients of advanced age. Method: A structured review was performed using works found in PubMed/Medline related to hypertension in advanced age between the years 2005 and 2015. The following free search strategy was used for this: “(hypertension) AND (drug therapy) AND (elderly OR older person)”, which would be found in the title or abstract. Results: A total of 83 articles associated with the subject of hypertension in advanced age were selected for the structured review. Aspects on the treatment were identified, as well as the assessment of the need, the therapeutic aims, as well as the characteristics associated with the safety of the pharmacological treatment. Conclusions: The most important features of the treatment of hypertension in advanced age are identified, and useful recommendations were established for the treatment of these patients.