A new study from the Netherlands is questioning the recommendations for antihypertensive medication use in the elderly.1 The study shows that old and frail patients may have increased memory problems as well as increased mortality risk when blood pressure is lowered excessively through pharmaceutical intervention. The authors were awarded the 2018 research prize by the Kollegium für Hausartztmedizin [College of General Medicine] for their work.
Range of patient considerations make the elderly a difficult population to study
The elderly are a very difficult population to study, owing to the wide range of patient considerations. The elderly make up the fastest growing age group, and include severely handicapped 75-year-olds, living in care homes to 95-year-olds who are still very active and will likely live another 10+ years. AND, blood pressure guidelines do not account for this broad spectrum – recommending that blood pressure for all individuals over 60 years of age to be lowered to, or below, 130mmHg.
These studies and recommendations cannot be applied across the board to all elderly people
The idea that “the lower the better,” applies to many individuals, including the elderly, and studies are able to demonstrate this. However, these studies do not include the very old and frail populations, with multiple illnesses and taking multiple medications. So, these studies, and recommendations cannot be applied across the board to all elderly people.
Study looked at all inhabitants over age 85
This study looked at all inhabitants over age 85 in the city of Leiden in the Netherlands. This included those suffering from dementia, in care homes and those who are extremely frail. The research found that antihypertensive medications were associated with an increase risk of mortality and quicker cognitive decline in these patients. There was a correlation between the amount to which the blood pressure was reduced and the higher levels of mortality and cognitive decline – but only in individuals who were taking antihypertensive medication.
Source:
- Streit S, Poortvliet RKE, Gussekloo J. Lower blood pressure during antihypertensive treatment is associated with higher all-cause mortality and accelerated cognitive decline in the oldest-old – data from the Leiden 85-plus Study. Age and Ageing 2018; 0: 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy072
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