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Treating Hypertension in Older Adults

Safety Considerations

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Abstract

This article discusses the efficacy, use and adverse effects of antihypertensive drug therapy in older adults. Numerous double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that antihypertensive drug therapy reduces cardiovascular events in older adults. All antihypertensive drugs may predispose older patients to the development of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension and postprandial hypotension, and syncope or falls. Adverse effects of diuretics, β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, calcium channel antagonists, α-adrenergic receptor antagonists, centrally acting drugs and direct vasodilators are discussed. The adverse effects depend on the antihypertensive drugs used, the doses used, the co-morbidities present in older patients taking these drugs and drug-drug interactions.

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No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The author has no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Aronow, W.S. Treating Hypertension in Older Adults. Drug-Safety 32, 111–118 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002018-200932020-00004

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