Management of Hypertension in the Elderly and Frail Patient

Drugs Aging. 2022 Oct;39(10):763-772. doi: 10.1007/s40266-022-00966-7. Epub 2022 Jul 29.

Abstract

Hypertension is a frequent finding in elderly patients. Hypertension in older age can be both associated with frailty and represent a risk factor for frailty. Hypertension is recognized as a main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke and the occurrence of these diseases may provoke a decline in health status and/or worsen the degree of frailty. Blood pressure targets in hypertensive older and frail patients are not completely defined. However, specific evaluations of individual patients and their co-morbidities and assessment of domains and components of frailty, together with weighted consideration of drug use, may help in finding the appropriate therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / drug therapy
  • Blood Pressure
  • Frail Elderly
  • Frailty* / complications
  • Frailty* / epidemiology
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / complications
  • Hypertension* / drug therapy
  • Hypertension* / epidemiology