Overview of Geriatric Hypertension: An Introduction

This lecture explains geriatric hypertension and its importance.

Defining and Understanding Geriatric Hypertension

After finishing this lecture. The physician is expected to know the definition and classification of hypertension and correct methodologies to properly measure blood pressure.

Special Forms of Hypertension in the Geriatric Population

After this lecture, the physician is expected to know the different special forms of hypertension, how they can confound diagnosis and appropriate strategies to confirm or rule them out.

Prevalence of Hypertension in Older Adults

After this lecture, the physician is expected to know the prevalence of hypertension worldwide and in particular, the Philippines and its epidemiological characteristics

Identifying the Root Causes of Geriatric Hypertension

After this lecture, the physician is expected to know the risk factors associated with primary hypertension and the various disease entities that cause secondary hypertension

Impact of Hypertension on End-Organ Function

After this lecture, the physician is expected to know the various end-organs damaged secondary to hypertension, how they cause increased mortality and morbidity among hypertensives and why hypertension control is crucial to minimizing end organ damage, increasing survival and improving quality of life.

Foundations of Geriatric Hypertension Management

After this lecture, the physician is expected to know who is considered an elderly hypertensive, when to initiate treatment and what target BP to aim for. He is also expected to know how to treat very high BP in older adults as well as treating hypertension in those over 80 years old.

Lifestyle Changes for Optimal Hypertension Control

After this lecture, the physician must know the role of lifestyle changes in hypertensive therapy, how effective each type of lifestyle change is in lowering blood pressure and how to properly implement these lifestyle changes.

Pharmacologic Interventions in Geriatric Hypertension Management

After this lecture, the physician must know the benefits of pharmacological treatment in lowering hypertension and decreasing morbidity and mortality, the various large scale clinical trials that prove their effectiveness and the basis for treatment guidelines issued by various organizations like ACC/AHA and ESC/ESH.

Setting Goals for Geriatric Hypertension Management with Medications

After this lecture, the physician is expected to know how to set therapeutic goals depending on the clinical situation and condition of the patient. Adjusting goals depending on whether the patient have existing comorbidities, age, degree of frailness, etc. and their response to treatment.

Selecting Anti-Hypertensive Medications for Older Adults

After finishing this lecture, the physician is expected to know the different drugs used for treating hypertension, in what situations they should and should not be used, how to initiate drug therapy, when to initiate multi-drug therapy, and in what conditions to alter or modify drug therapy.

Applying Geriatric Principles in Hypertension Management

After finishing this lecture, the physician is expected to know how standard lifestyle and pharmacologic treatment may differ in its effect on older adults vs younger patients. He is also expected to know how to adjust treatment goals and strategies taking into account various geriatrics issues including level of functioning, existence and degree of comorbidity, terminal illness and other issues.

Managing Hypertension in the Very Elderly: Special Considerations

After finishing this lecture, the physician is expected to know the special problems of treating the very elderly (over 80 years old), the benefits of treating them and the special therapeutic strategies needed to properly manage this subset of elderly hypertensives

Summing Up: Key Points in Geriatric Hypertension Management