Antihypertensive treatment in elderly hypertensives: implications of the MEHP study
Wikstrand, J.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 10(Suppl 2): S71
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-2446 PMID: 2481174 Document Number: 303329
Present evidence from several secondary and primary preventive trials indicates that if antihypertensive treatment is initiated with a beta-blocker, a better preventive effect on total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and atherosclerotic complications can be expected than if diuretics are used as initial therapy. Results from a recent large-scale multicenter international study (MEHP) have shown that a regimen initiating antihypertensive treatment with 100 mg metoprolol once daily is effective, safe, and well-tolerated in elderly hypertensive patients. This might be of particular importance since a steep increase in cardiovascular mortality and other atherosclerotic complications is seen with age.