Management of Hypertension in the Elderly and Frail Patient
Luigina Guasti, Marco Ambrosetti, Marco Ferrari, Franca Marino, Marc Ferrini, Isabella Sudano, Maria Laura Tanda, Iris Parrini, Riccardo Asteggiano, Marco Cosentino
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.