National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) Working Group Report on Hypertension in the Elderly

摘要

High blood pressure is the major risk factor contributing to the more than 500,000 strokes and 150,000 stroke deaths suffered annually in the United States and is one of the major risk factors in the 1 million heart attacks and 500,000 heart attack deaths that occur annually in this country. Hypertension not only increases the risk of heart attack and stroke but also is an antecedent for congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic occlusive peripheral vascular disease, aortic aneurysm, and renal failure. This report has two aims: to guide clinicians in their care of elderly patients with high blood pressure and to assist health care professionals participating in hypertension control programs that serve the elderly.