Implications of blood pressure variations in older populations

Special characteristics of blood pressure (BP) variability have been noted in older people. As some specific types of BP variability related to hypertension or hypotension might be associated with higher mortality or geriatric syndromes, such as dementia and frailty, doctors or medical providers should obtain precise knowledge about BP variations in older people and closely monitor these changes in various situations. In this review article, the proposed mechanisms of BP variability in older people and common and clinically important types of BP variability are explained and discussed using recent studies.