A 70-year-old man has isolated systolic hypertension. On examination, his blood pressure is 170/80 mmHg and heart and lungs are normal. He has no other medical conditions.For the above patient with high blood pressure, select the most appropriate medication.: (A) thiazides, (B) spironolactone, (C) clonidine, (D) prazosin
Answer is A. Thiazides seem to work particularly well in Blacks and the elderly. Younger individuals and Whites respond well to beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel antagonists. Isolated systolic hypertension is a common occurrence in the elderly. It is due to arteriosclerosis of the large arteries. Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension with low-dose thiazides results in lower stroke rates and death. The goal for treatment is a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.