Issue

Older persons are more likely to have hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension. They are also more likely to have target organ damage and clinical cardiovascular disease, and to develop cardiovascular events. Finally, the reality is that they are also less likely to have their hypertension controlled. Consequently, the need for antihypertensive treatment in this patient population remains crucial. The use of such drug therapy results in a reduction of coronary events, stroke, and heart failure in older persons.

This article examines the evidence supporting the incidence and prevalen

CASE PRESENTATION

Ms. N is a 64-year-old unmarried woman who came to her primary care physician with complaints of headaches and difficulty sleeping. Ms. N is employed as a legal secretary and chose Dr. R from the panel of physicians who participate in her employer’s health insurance plan. She has been her patient for the past 8 years, coming in annually for health maintenance visits. Dr. R has found it difficult to get to know Ms. N, as she does not engage readily in conversation. She is very meticulous about following up with appointments and is always very specific when describing her

Each year in the United States, 2.5-3 million senior citizens are victims of abuse.1 Mistreatment of seniors occurs in 3-10% of the older population.2,3 After reviewing information on the rising incidence of elder abuse, the Select Committee on Aging of the U.S. House of Representatives issued a report on “Elder Abuse: The Hidden Problem” in 1978. A full congressional report in 1981 encouraged all states to develop and implement laws to protect elderly persons from physical, emotional, and financial exploitation.4 Since that report, all 50 states have enacted elder abuse statutes, and seve

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit th

This continuing medical education activity is sponsored by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

These examination questions are based on the article “Falls in the Post-Hospitalization Period,” which appears on pages 39-46 in this issue of Clinical Geriatrics.

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide co

Of all deaths in the U.S. in 2002, 38% were caused by cardiovascular disease, which has been the number one killer in the U.S. nearly every year since 1900. Over 38% of Americans with one or more types of cardiovascular disease are ages 65 or older. In order to lead a healthier, longer life, it is important to recognize the risk factors for heart disease that you can and cannot change, and eliminate those which you can control.

Some risk factors for heart disease that can be controlled are high blood pressure and blood cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, exces

“The diseases of young men are more acute and curable, of old men longer and hard to cure…”—Sir Francis Bacon

When people initially heard last autumn that Chief Justice William Rehnquist had undergone surgery for thyroid cancer, they hoped for the best and assumed that he would make a speedy recovery as most people do with thyroid cancer. Physicians are used to diagnosing follicular or papillary cancer of the thyroid and have been ingrained to think that if one had the power to “choose” a specific cancer, thyroid cancer would be one to consider, as few die of this illness.