Controllo del rischio cardiovascolare e terapia comportamentale nel paziente anziano iperteso

The primary goal of treatment of the patient with high blood pressure is to achieve the maximum reduction in the long-term total risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. This is possible only treating all the reversible risk factors identified, including smoking, dyslipidaemia and diabetes. Lifestyle changes should be instituted in all patients, in particular in hypertensive patients, with the purpose of lowering blood pressure and of controlling risk factors and clinical conditions present. The changes in lifestyle measures that are considered necessary to lower blood pressure or cardiovascular risk and that should be considered are smoking cessation, weight reduction, physical exercise, reduction of alcohol and salt intake and increase in fruit and vegetable intake.