As the population ages, the prevalence of chronic conditions, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, is rapidly increasing, particularly among frail older adults. These conditions share common pathophysiological mechanisms and substantially contribute to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Effective management is essential for reducing cardiovascular risk; however, older adults present unique challenges, including multimorbidity, polypharmacy, cognitive decline, and functional impairment. Frailty further complicates clinical decision-making and necessitates individualized treatment strategies. This review examines current evidence and clinical guidelines for managing hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in older adults, with a focus on frailty status. It highlights the importance of assessing functional capacity and life expectancy and prioritizing treatments with favorable risk–benefit profiles. Specific recommendations are discussed according to frailty status, including when to initiate or deintensify therapy. Ultimately, a person-centered, geriatric-informed approach is critical to optimize outcomes and preserve quality of life in this vulnerable population.
Hypertension is a common condition among older adults, and blood pressure (BP) control is effective for preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality even among the oldest-old adults. However, the optimal target BP for older patients with hypertension has been a subject of debate, with previous clinical trials providing conflicting evidence. Determining the optimal target BP for older adults is a complex issue that requires considering comorbidities, frailty, quality of life, and goals of care. As such, BP targets should be individualized based on each patient's unique health status and risk factors, and treatment should be closely monitored to ensure that it is effective and well-tolerated. The benefits and risks of intensive BP control should be carefully weighed in the context of the patient's overall health status and treatment goals. Ultimately, the decision to pursue intensive BP control should be made through shared decision-making between patients and their healthcare providers.
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Community health worker-led interventions for hypertension Suning Mao, Liu Liu, Tianyi Wang, Yubin Cao Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2025;[Epub] CrossRef