American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam

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What is the blood pressure recommendation for patients over the age of 65?

130/80
140/90
150/90
160/100

The correct answer is: 150/90

For patients over the age of 65, the recommendation for blood pressure control emphasizes individualized treatment, but general guidelines suggest a target of around 150/90 mm Hg. This target is aimed at balancing the benefits of lowering blood pressure to reduce cardiovascular risk with the potential risks of treating older adults who may be more sensitive to blood pressure medications, which can lead to adverse events such as falls. The recommendation of 150/90 mm Hg is supported by studies indicating that this level can help decrease the incidence of stroke and heart failure while reducing the risk of hypotension and its complications in an older population. The aging process often brings about changes in vascular stiffness and may result in higher acceptable blood pressure levels compared to younger populations. Thus, the target of 150/90 mm Hg takes into consideration the unique physiological changes and health profiles commonly observed in older adults, helping to provide a safe and effective approach to managing hypertension in this demographic.