Hypertension management in older people

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the blood pressure (BP) in elderly, how it is assessed and its management. It explains the need of multiple BP measurements as well as the standing measurement and use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for assessing blood pressure in elderly. Some years ago elderly people were seen as a different group of population who needed to be managed differently for BP and this view is now changed. The management can be pharmacological or non-pharmacological, which includes weight reduction, salt reduction, reducing alcohol consumption, carrying out regular exercise and physical activity, healthy diet and smoking cessation. This article explains on how the anti-hypertensive medication should be started on an elderly patient and what measures should be taken while they are on this medication.