Myths about hypertension in the elderly.

Many of the traditional concepts concerning hypertension in the elderly have turned out to be myths. Large randomized clinical trials have shown that antihypertensive therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality for elderly patients with diastolic hypertension. Elderly patients adhere well to prescribed regimens and they tolerate antihypertensive drugs as well as younger patients do. An oral diuretic is the agent of choice to initiate treatment for elderly patients with either diastolic or isolated systolic hypertension.