65 patients over the age of 65 often suffer from arterial hypertension, and after the age of 85, this disease affects almost everyone.
This hypertension in the elderly is simply systolic hypertension. The most difficult thing to reduce during the systolic hypertension is also the most dangerous. It directly causes stroke .
And this is the biggest problem: stroke and dementia depend heavily on excessive systolic blood pressure . These patients should be treated with antihypertensive drugs and are effectively treated.
The elderly take antihypertensive drugs in many types, so it is necessary for the elderly to understand the side effects of various antihypertensive drugs.
1, diuretics
The most common side effects of diuretics are increased urination, and may also cause headache, dizziness, muscle weakness or cramps. Serious side effects are loss of libido, irregular heartbeat, abnormal electrolytes, severe dehydration, and hyperkalemia .
Elderly patients with congestive heart failure may experience hypotension and prerenal uremia due to excessive diuretic effects. The antihypertensive effect is reduced when used with loop diuretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Fasting blood sugar is increased.
2, angiotensin receptor inhibitors and ACE inhibitors.
Taking angiotensin receptor inhibitors will cause dizziness, fainting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, back pain, leg pain, , sleep difficulties, arrhythmia , sinusitis , upper respiratory tract infection , diarrhea, head diagram. The side effects of
ACE inhibitors are the possible cough , redness, itching or rash, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. Swelling of the tongue, neck, and face, and symptoms of high potassium appear.
3, β blocker
β blocker is not used for: severe sinus bradycardia , sinus atrial disease and first, second and third degree atrioventricular block, bronchial asthma , severe bronchospasm lung disease, very serious peripheral artery disease.
In addition, beta-blocker drugs can also cause depression or insanity in the elderly. Patients with a history of hypoglycemia or unstable diabetes should use beta blockers with caution.
4, calcium channel blocker
avoid taking short-acting drugs. Patients with severe sinus bradycardia, sinus atrial diseases, first, second and third degree atrioventricular block and myocardial infarction should not be taken.
5, alpha blocker
Elderly people may feel dizzy, headache, heavy heartbeat, and fatigue. Long-term use may increase the risk of heart failure .
6. Drugs with central effects: constipation occurs.
7. Vasodilator: headache, tachycardia, aggravated angina pectoris.
The medication treatment for the elderly is individualized, and the most important thing is to adapt to the elderly’s blood pressure needs. Not every drug or drug combination is suitable for everyone, and medication needs to be cautious.
Therefore, the elderly must follow the doctor's advice for antihypertensive treatment, "Start with low doses, take it slowly"
