RESUMO
Administered alone, calcium entry blockers (CEB) are effective antihypertensive agents in the aged, and their blood pressure lowering action is similar to that of other antihypertensive drugs. CEB may be regarded as alternatives to diuretics in the elderly, and they should be used instead of diuretics when these are contraindicated. The effectiveness of CEB might be explained by some characteristics of old age, such as elevated mean blood pressure, reduced plasma renin activity, blunted sympathetic activity, altered drug pharmacokinetics and so forth. CEB appear to have a favourable metabolic profile and to be as safe in the elderly as in younger patients. The beneficial effects of CEB on mortality, morbidity and quality of life in geriatric hypertension still need to be established.
