CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT IN THE ELDERLY

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Abstract
One hundred and fourteen men and women of 70 years of age and over in the community have been studied with special reference to their blood pressure and electrocardiogram (e.c.g). It has been suggested that a diastolic blood pressure at 100 mm of Hg or above alone constitutes a criterion of hypertension. On this basis 26.3 per cent of all patients had hypertension. Hypertension did not seem to be related to age, sex or symptoms. Just over half of the patients had significant e.c.g. abnormalities, and there was a significant correlation between this and a diastolic blood pressure of 100 mm of Hg or more. There is a significant relationship between abnormal e.c.g.s and signs or symptoms referable to the cardiovascular system, and a tendency for more e.c.g.s to be abnormal with increasing age. We would question the value of the electrocardiogram as a screening test for elderly people.

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