Via practica 7-8/2006

TREATMENT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY PEOPLE AND IN DEMENTIA PREVENTION

Arterial hypertension belong to the mean risk factors of atherosclerosis and has in older age serious consequencies, mainly stroke and coronary heart disease. In the last years the relationship between arterial hypertension and dementia is intensively studied. It is evident, arterial hypertension enhance the manifestation of vascular and alzheimer type dementia. Stroke accelerated the progression of dementia symptoms. Diagnostics and therapy in the elderly is similar comparing the younger age groups, but some specific patterns of the elderly age should be considered. therapy starts with lower dosage, the blood pressure decrease should be slow and the compliance of the patient should be carefully considered. adequate therapy can slow the onset and progression of dementia.

Keywords: arterial hypertension, diagnostics, treatment, elderly age, dementia.