American Society of Hypertension 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting
The American Society of Hypertension (ASH) is the largest organization of hypertension researchers and healthcare providers in the Unites States, with the mission of translating and promoting current research in hypertension and vascular disease into effective treatment strategies for patients with these and other associated disorders—the ultimate goal being to eventually eliminate hypertension and its consequences.
In keeping with this purpose, the Thirtieth Annual Scientific Meeting, held May 15–19, 2015, in New York City, was designed to encourage and promote the development, advancement, and exchange of information regarding the research, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. The meeting brought together a domestic and international membership of basic science and clinical investigators, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals with an interest in hypertension.
The underlying theme of this year’s meeting was improving patient care and wellness outcomes. In addition to presenting new findings on the physiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of hypertension and related conditions, the sessions held at the meeting included reviews of current state-of the-art advances in managing particular patient populations—including older adults—and evaluating specific treatment modalities and pharmacological agents. Several presentations focused on the mechanisms or management of hypertension and related diseases in older adults and the effects of aging on the presentation of these diseases.
The Effects of Antihypertensive Medications on Risk of Falling
Dan Berlowitz (Bedford VA Hospital, MA) led a study to evaluate fear of falling in a group of older adult hypertensive patients from the SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) study, a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing standard care with an intensive strategy for managing systolic blood pressure.
Comparative Studies Reveal Risks and Benefits of Antihypertensive Medications in Older Patients
A few comparative studies were presented in which the efficacy and safety of different antihypertensive medications in older adult hypertensive patients specifically were evaluated.
Effects of Age on Pulse Pressure During Treatment for Hypertension
A team of researchers from University of Alabama at Birmingham, led by Hemal Bhatt, sought to evaluate the pulse pressure changes during blood pressure–lowering treatment in patients with resistance hypertension...
Arterial Stiffness Presents Challenges for Antihypertensive Therapy in Older Patients
Report from the Panel Members Appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee was raised from its previous level to 150 mmHg for adults aged 60 years and older without a history of diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
Cognitive Function Evaluation Reveals Masked Hypertension in Older Hypertensive Patients
A presentation given by Manabu Hayakawa et al. (Miyazaki University, Japan) described a study to evaluate whether cognitive function, as assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), can be used as an indicator of masked hypertension in older hypertensive patients.
