To what extent can elderly patients with hypertension be involved in their own clinical management?
The patient–doctor relationship is integral to a satisfactory outcome in managing any long-term medical disorder, and hypertension is no exception. The sequel to failed medical management of hypertension in the elderly may be a sudden stroke or heart attack, with severe disability or death. Yet, at the time of presentation most patients are suffering few or no symptoms. Part of the importance of the initial steps in detecting the presence of significant hypertension, and applying tests to exclude underlying causes, is the opportunity afforded to the doctor to establish the patient’s trust and to lay the ground for later implementation of therapeutic interventions (which the patient may find onerous).
The interaction of hypertension and other risk factors, as well as the adverse effects of the therapy under consideration, should be explored with the patient.31 With the patient’s permission, an accompanying spouse, relative or caregiver can be included in the discussion. Cardiovascular risk calculators based on algorithms relating multiple risk factors to outcomes such as heart attack, stroke and death may be used to help patients weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of risk modification programs.32 Therapeutic goals should be set by common agreement between patient and doctor, and appointments for follow-up visits planned. In addition to target levels of blood pressure, goals to be set might include, for example, a specified weight loss, a set restriction of dietary salt intake, or an increase in bodily exercise. Options in drug therapy should be discussed with the patient,31 and the importance of compliance with medication schedules should be stressed. In a small minority of patients, discussion of surgical intervention, such as adrenalectomy or repair of renal arteries will be required; foreseeably, renal sympathectomy might come to be considered in those subjects who are refractory to other measures.33