Course Director:
Manju T. Beier, Pharm..D., FASCP
President, Geriatric Consultant Resources, LLC
Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Upon completion of this program, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the prevalence of hypertension in the elderly and the morbidity and mortality associated with increased blood pressure.

2. Describe the pathophysiologic changes associated with the aging process which contribute to the development of hypertension in the elderly.

3. Review the classification for diagnosis of hypertension based on grades of elevation in systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure, as reflected in the report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.

4. Enumerate disease-based and concomitant drug-based factors which should be considered prior to the selection of antihypertensive drug therapy in an elderly patient.

5. State the diagnostic criteria and drug treatment of isolated systolic hypertension. Support your choice of drug therapy with recent studies.

6. Discuss the risks of antihypertensive therapy and how these risks may be managed.

7. List the drug classes of antihypertensives, their hemodynamic effects, major side effects, and impact on morbidity and mortality from hypertension.

Target audience
Geriatric health-care practitioners

Accreditation
At this time we are offering CE for pharmacists only. The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

Release Date: June 1999
Second Release date: November 2003
Expiration Date: November 2006

This program (Program {INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM NUMBER #203-999-03-606-H01)} qualifies for 0.15 CEUs (1.5 contact hours) of continuing pharmacy education. CEUs will be awarded provided that the participant reviews this site and scores 70% or better on the post test that follows. To receive a statement of credit, please complete the examination and evaluation that follows this program. A statement will be awarded and mailed to you within 4-6 weeks.

The information provided in these programs is intended solely for the continuing educational needs of health-care practitioners. The medications discussed in these programs have Food and Drug Administration approval in the US. Individuals should not exclusively rely upon the information provided in these programs.

The continuing education programs are offered “as is.” Geriatric Consultant Resources, LLC disclaims all warranties and representations, express or implied, with respect to the programs and the information contained therein, including without limitation any and all warranties of title, non infringement, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, Geriatric Consultant Resources LLC shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy or omission in the information contained in the programs, and shall have no liability whatsoever of any kind resulting from any claim or action arising out of the use of the programs.