Editorial
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. May 26, 2012; 4(5): 135-147
Published online May 26, 2012. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v4.i5.135
Hypertension in the elderly
Nikolaos Lionakis, Dimitrios Mendrinos, Elias Sanidas, Georgios Favatas, Maria Georgopoulou
Nikolaos Lionakis, Dimitrios Mendrinos, Georgios Favatas, Maria Georgopoulou, Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Nafplio, Asklipiou and Kolokotroni St, 21100 Nafplio, Greece
Elias Sanidas, Columbia University, Medical Center and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 557 West 148th St, New York, NY 10031, United States
Author contributions: Lionakis N and Mendrinos D wrote the manuscript; Lionakis N, Sanidas E, Favatas G and Georgopoulou M reviewed the manuscript and made the final corrections before submission; all authors have read and approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Dr. Nikolaos Lionakis, Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Nafplio, Asklipiou and Kolokotroni St, 21100 Nafplio, Greece. nik_lion@yahoo.com
Telephone: +30-2752-361155 Fax: +30-2752-361122
Received: March 22, 2012
Revised: April 25, 2012
Accepted: May 2, 2012
Published online: May 26, 2012
Abstract

The elderly are the most rapidly growing population group in the world. Data collected over a 30-year period have demonstrated the increasing prevalence of hypertension with age. The risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart disease, chronic kidney insufficiency and dementia is also increased in this subgroup of hypertensives. Hypertension in the elderly patients represents a management dilemma to cardiovascular specialists and other practioners. During the last years and before the findings of the Systolic Hypertension in Europe Trial were published, the general medical opinion considered not to decrease blood pressure values similarly to other younger patients, in order to avoid possible ischemic events and poor oxygenation of the organs (brain, heart, kidney). The aim of this review article is to highlight the importance of treating hypertension in aged population in order to improve their quality of life and lower the incidence of the cardiovascular complications.

Keywords: Hypertension; Elderly; Pathophysiology; Treatment