Isolated systolic hypertension and the risk of vascular disease.

Hypertension is present in 60% to 70% of the population over 60 years of age and may result in cardiovascular complications such as stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. In this review, the role of arterial stiffness, endothelial function, atherosclerosis, and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of hypertension is discussed extensively. Antihypertensive drug treatment may control high blood pressure and prevent complications. This review summarizes the results of several placebo-controlled and comparative clinical trials that have studied the efficacy of different classes of antihypertensive drugs.