Systolic Hypertension in Older Persons

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Quiz Ref ID Systolic hypertension (SH), defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) of at least 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of less than 90 mm Hg, is a major public health issue that predominantly affects older individuals.1 A major message of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure1 (JNC 7) is that in older persons (those aged ≥60 years), SH is a much more important cardiovascular disease risk factor than diastolic hypertension, and consequently, the control of SBP should be the focus of treatment in this population. Despite this recommendation, poor control of SH is increasing. In a recent study assessing trends in hypertension control, isolated elevation of SBP was the most common finding among patients being treated for hypertension, occurring in 76% of patients in 1999 compared with 57% in 1990-1995.2