Treatment of hypertension in the elderly.

Hypertension is present in over 50% of elderly patients and constitutes a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This paper reviews the rationale for treating hypertension in the elderly, discusses the choice of antihypertensive therapy and optimal target blood pressure, and summarizes ongoing clinical trials. The major questions that remain to be answered are the optimal level of blood pressure reduction in the elderly and the long-term efficacy and safety of newer antihypertensive agents compared with diuretics and beta-blockers.