As Baby Boomers age, especially those who are overweight or obese, the prevalence in their ranks of lipid abnormalities, hypertension, and diabetes increases. Physicians who treat older adults will find more and more of their practice consumed with the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders and weight. Read more in “Opinion: Baby Boomers court metabolic syndrome.”

In a multipart series, find articles on help for physicians who treat older adults will find more and more of their practice consumed with the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders and weight. Available now is “Cardiovascular medication adherence among the elderly” and “Resistant disease or resistant patient: Problems with adherence to cardiovascular medications in the elderly” which help clinicians diagnose a medication adherence problem and supply the tools to overcome it. which helps clinicians diagnose a medication adherence problem and supply the tools to overcome it.

“Practical strategies for management of hypertension in the elderly” explores hypertension epidemiology, prevalence, appropriate blood pressure targets, and why hypertension control is often inadequate in the elderly. The author examines evidence supporting treatment of hypertension in the elderly as well as data indicating that treatment affects morbidity, mortality, and cognitive impairment. An evidence-based comparison of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments is included.

Also coming is an article covering the role of the primary care physician in protecting patients from developing diabetes-related eye disease, which is on the rise. The article emphasizes the importance of communication between the nonophthalmic physician and other physicians involved in the patient’s care and includes specific information on the ophthalmologic implications of diabetes, obesity, and related comorbidities.

For an overview of cardiometabolic disorders plus a complete list of related articles in the series, read “Cardiometabolic Disorders & Weight: Action for Outcomes.”

SERIES CONTENT

Cardiovascular medication adherence among the elderly
A review of the current evidence describing the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of poor adherence to cardiovascular medications among the elderly.

Opinion: Baby Boomers court metabolic syndrome
Many bulging Baby Boomers already have the “metabolic syndrome,” and if clinicians don’t do anything about it, their patients are 3 to 5 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and twice as likely to develop cardiovascular heart disease.

Practical strategies for management of hypertension in the elderly
Key strategies for hypertension treatment in elderly include lifestyle changes and hypertension treatment until target BP goal is reached with mono or combination therapy.

Resistant disease or resistant patient: Problems with adherence to cardiovascular medications in the elderly
When faced with difficult to control cardiovascular risk factors, clinicians need to address the potential role of adherence. This includes diagnosing an adherence problem, understanding why there is an adherence problem, and then employing simple tools and clear communication to overcome the relevant barriers.