Quality of life and the treatment of hypertension in the elderly

Abstract

A recent dramatic increase in the number of elderly patients with hypertension has made the proper management of the disease in this population more important. Since quality of life (QOL) is greatly affected in elderly patients with hypertension, as a life-style disease, we reviewed QOL and related issues in the treatment of hypertension in the elderly, Assessment of QOL requires multi-dimensional evaluation from many aspects. Elderly individuals, especially those with hypertension, generally have impaired QOL. It has been shown that treatment of hypertension could affect QOL, and care in treatment is required because of possible effects on QOL. Given the major role of stroke in the deterioration of QOL among elderly people, treatment of hypertension may well be targeted at prevention of stroke. A recent meta-regression analysis demonstrated that calcium channel blockers are effective in reducing risk of stroke, as their effects are not limited to blood pressure reduction. Since overall benefit of hypertension treatment is determined by multiple factors, including safety, efficacy, compliance, as well as risk reduction, it is of particular importance to pay attention to QOL in the treatment of hypertension. Further clinical evidence is needed for the establishment of proper management of hypertension in the elderly, especially from the QOL point of view.