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Elderly Hypertension

Meaning

Elderly hypertension refers to the clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure specifically in individuals aged 65 years and older. This is a demographic where the prevalence and clinical characteristics of the condition often differ from younger adults. This form of hypertension is frequently characterized by isolated systolic hypertension due to age-related arterial stiffening. It often presents unique challenges in management due to polypharmacy, frailty, and co-morbidities. Effective management is critical for reducing the high risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure in this population.