Study on Mortality in the Elderly : Comparison of Hypertension Group and Nonhypertension Group

The causes of the death in the elderly were investigated in patients who died in our hospital from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1990. 74 cases of hypertension (HT) were compared with 105 cases of nonhypertensiton (NHT). The mean aes of death in HT and NHT groups were 84.7±6.1 years and 84.2±6.0 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups. This finding suggests that the treatment of hypertension in the elderly is valuable. There was no significant difference in incidence of cerebral hemorrhage, infection, heat disease, malignant disease and renal insufficiency as direct causes of death between two groups. Significantly increased incidence of cerebral infarction, however, was seen in HT group. We consider that mean blood pressure may be reduced by the antihypertensive therapy and cerebral infarction may be induced. Although further research remains necessary to determine, the present study suggest that the antihypertensive drug therapy should be stopped for the elderly who is over 80 years old.

高齢化社会

高血圧症

老年者

脳梗塞症