HIGHER BP IN ELDERLY PATIENTS LINKED TO HIGHER CV RISKS

Heartwire (9/5, O'Riordan, 5K) reports that researchers who analyzed data from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) observational study found “a significant twofold increased risk of cardiovascular disease in elderly patients with systolic blood pressures >150 mm Hg as well as a significantly increased risk of coronary heart disease incidence.” Although “stroke rates were not significantly increased in elderly patients with higher blood pressures, there was an increased risk of all-cause mortality among individuals 55 to 74 years of age with systolic blood pressures >140 mm Hg.” The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2013 Congress. Heartwire points out that “the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association guidelines recommend a treatment target of <140 140="" 145="" 65="" 79="" 80="" a="" and="" hg="" if="" in="" individuals="" mm="" of="" old="" older="" patients="" span="" target="" those="" to="" tolerated.="" treated="" with="" years="">

CardioSource (9/5, 2K) reports that the study’s lead author said that “the results suggest a hypothesis that for all patients aged 55 and older, the recommended level of systolic blood pressure should be less than 140 mmHg, including the oldest patients

POSTED BY: Steven Almany M.D.