Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases in the Elderly

The authors examine in detail the mechanisms of hypertension in the elderly, the lifestyle trials and outcomes trials that were conducted in older persons, as well as the problems of clinical evaluation, secondary hypertension, adherence, and target organ damage. Although elderly hypertensive patients are the subjects of the largest body of outcomes trial data, as a group they are not getting the maximum benefit from antihypertensive medications. In Hypertension in the Elderly, a panel of leading academic physicians comprehensively reviews all aspects of this problem using the most current clinical data. Topics range from basic concepts, epidemiology and trials, and evaluation and management, to pharmacological treatment, special populations, and adherence, all presented with an emphasis on the optimal management of patients. The authors examine in detail the mechanisms of hypertension in the elderly, particularly age-related changes in vascular stiffness, and methodically review the lifestyle and outcomes trials that were conducted in older persons. The problems of clinical evaluation, secondary hypertension, and target organ damage are also fully addressed, and a practical approach is provided for correctly determining blood pressure, one of the most important tasks in evaluating an older patient. Extensive discussions of pharmacological therapy detail the role of individual drug classes, including diuretics and b-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium antagonists, a-1 blockers, and combination drug therapies. Additional chapters focus on special populations, such as African Americans, patients with diabetes, and patients with arthritis, as well as on the clinician's role in improving therapeutic adherence in older patients. Comprehensive and authoritative, Hypertension in the Elderly offers family practitioners and general internists an up-to-date, user-friendly reference on the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of hypertension in the elderly. Hypertension effects 50 per cent to 70 per cent of older patients. It is a condition that is seen commonly by family practitioners, general internists and geriatricians. With the elderly population continuing to rise, this condition will become more prevalent in years to come. This book provides a clinical guide to the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hypertension in the older patient. It is clearly written and uses evidenced based research to deliver its message. The consequences of poor management of this illness can have serious detrimental effects on the quality of life for patients reaching their golden years. This text fills the need for an authoritative reference to assist doctors in proper care.

The authors examine in detail the mechanisms of hypertension in the elderly, the lifestyle trials and outcomes trials that were conducted in older persons, as well as the problems of clinical evaluation, secondary hypertension, adherence, and target organ damage. Although elderly hypertensive patients are the subjects of the largest body of outcomes trial data, as a group they are not getting the maximum benefit from antihypertensive medications. In Hypertension in the Elderly, a panel of leading academic physicians comprehensively reviews all aspects of this problem using the most current clinical data. Topics range from basic concepts, epidemiology and trials, and evaluation and management, to pharmacological treatment, special populations, and adherence, all presented with an emphasis on the optimal management of patients. The authors examine in detail the mechanisms of hypertension in the elderly, particularly age-related changes in vascular stiffness, and methodically review the lifestyle and outcomes trials that were conducted in older persons. The problems of clinical evaluation, secondary hypertension, and target organ damage are also fully addressed, and a practical approach is provided for correctly determining blood pressure, one of the most important tasks in evaluating an older patient. Extensive discussions of pharmacological therapy detail the role of individual drug classes, including diuretics and b-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium antagonists, a-1 blockers, and combination drug therapies. Additional chapters focus on special populations, such as African Americans, patients with diabetes, and patients with arthritis, as well as on the clinician's role in improving therapeutic adherence in older patients. Comprehensive and authoritative, Hypertension in the Elderly offers family practitioners and general internists an up-to-date, user-friendly reference on the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of hypertension in the elderly. A comprehensive review of all aspects of hypertension in the elderly using the most current clinical data. Topics range from basic concepts, epidemiology and trials, and evaluation and management, to pharmacologic treatment, special populations, and adherence, all presented with an emphasis on the optimal management of patients. The authors examine in detail the mechanisms of hypertension in the elderly, the lifestyle trials and outcomes trials that were conducted in older persons, as well as the problems of clinical evaluation, secondary hypertension, adherence, and target organ damage. Extensive discussions of pharmacologic therapy detail the role of all the major drug classes.