Review of isolated systolic hypertension in older adults.

A 75-year-old patient comes to a community pharmacy to refill her blood pressure (BP) medications. She approached the pharmacist complaining of a headache and an unusually high BP reading that she had gotten from the automated machine. The patient was unaware of her usual BP, but knew that the reading was unusually high for her. Following evaluation of the patient and after obtaining several high systolic BP readings, the pharmacist appropriately calls for an ambulance. At the hospital, the patient is told she is in need of triple-bypass surgery. After her hospital stay, the patient is now diligent about refilling her BP medications on time and consistently monitors and records her BP at home. Isolated systolic hypertension is a growing concern in older adults, and a large percentage of adults are not appropriately managed. Pharmacists play an active role in educating patients on the importance of high BP monitoring and adherence to minimize the risk of cardiovascular events.