[2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension: What's New with Regard to Our Older People?].

In the "2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension" there are new blood pressure (BP) recommendations with regard to older patients based on randomized controlled trials and well-conducted meta-analyses performed during the last years.It is recommended to base the diagnosis of hypertension on repeated office BP measurements under standardized conditions and in older people in out-of-office BP measurement with ABPM and/or HBPM if logistically and economically feasible. Furthermore lying and standing BP measurements should also be considered in subsequent visits in older people to exclude orthostatic hypotension.Older people should measure their BP in upper arms by validated devices with a well readable display.In the new guidelines more attention is directed on frailty, concomitant treatments and independence influencing the likely tolerability of BP-lowering medications. In fit older patients, it is now recommended that systolic BP should be targeted to a BP range of 130 - 139 mmHg, if tolerated.Lifestyle changes are also recommended in elder patients. Preferred combination therapies are a RAS blocker with a CCB or thiazid diuretic, preferably in a "single pill". When combination therapy is used, this should be initiated at the lowest available doses in elder people.