Protection: risk ratio of antihypertensive drug treatment in the elderly.

In recent controlled trials using clinic-based manometry, thiazides and beta-blockers prevented cerebrovascular and coronary deaths in patients aged 60-79 years with cryptogenic hypertension (diastolic 90-119 mm Hg). Elderly patients should usually take low-dose thiazide with potassium replacement. beta-Blockers also postpone death, but may mask hypoglycaemia. Calcium blockers and low-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors appear preferable in diabetes, and thiazides or ACE inhibitors in heart failure or peripheral vascular disease. Maintaining average diastolic pressure at 80-84 mm Hg impairs function of the kidneys, and possibly the myocardium. Metabolic reactions worsen with age. Drug treatment should match individual daily function. By clinic manometry, the protection:risk ratio of antihypertensive treatment progressively decreases with age, reaching less than 1.0 in patients over 80-85 years. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure information should guide treatment more reliably in patients greater than or equal to 60 years.