Hypertension in Older Adults

Hypertension is a common condition in older adults which often results in the use of multiple medications.  Current recommendations vary for systolic blood pressure (SBP) goals for adults aged 60 and older with hypertension.  This presentation will offer clinical trial evidence that informs the treatment of hypertension and suggest factors that patients and clinicians may be considering when individualising targets and therapies

Kyle Grieve is an academic detailing pharmacist with the BC Provincial Academic Detailing (PAD) service.  Kyle serves clinicians throughout the East and West Kootenays, offering evidence-informed drug information and assisting them with practical application to their unique patients and practice.

By the end of this session, participants should be able to:

• Describe the range of systolic blood pressure targets offered by guidelines for the treatment of adults aged 60 and older with hypertension
• Approximate the benefit in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity that blood pressure lowering may offer
• Identify challenges and harms that patients may experience with blood pressure treatment
• Recognise clinical considerations when monitoring patients receiving antihypertensive medications with a focus on four antihypertensive classes (thiazide diuretics, angiotensin converting inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers)