Table 7 Categories for blood pressure management based on health and functional status in older adults aged ≥75 yearsa

From: Key highlights of the Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension 2025 (JSH2025)

 

Category 1 Preserved ADLs; able to attend outpatient visits independently.

Category 2 Reduced instrumental ADLs; assistance needed for outpatient visits.

Category 3 Reduced basic ADLs; unable to attend outpatient visits.

Category 4 end-of-life stage

General health status

Fit to frail

Frail to needing care

Needing care

End-of-life

Instrumental ADLb

Maintained

Reduced

Severely reduced

Basic ADLc

Maintained to reduced

Reduced

Severely reduced

Blood pressure targets

<130/80 mmHg

Target systolic BP < 140 mmHg; however, a more intensive target of <130 mmHg may be considered based on individual comorbidities and clinical context.

Target systolic BP < 150 mmHg; further lowering should be considered on an individual basis depending on comorbidities, but reduction to <120 mmHg should be avoided.

Individualized decision (with a reference range of systolic BP between 140 and 160 mmHg).

Other approaches

Management strategy similar to that for non-elderly individuals.

Consider tapering antihypertensive medication when systolic BP falls below 120 mmHg.

Consider stepwise dose reduction or withdrawal of antihypertensive agents; initiation of treatment is not recommended in previously untreated individuals.

  1. Translated and adapted from ref. [2]
  2. ADL activities of daily living, BP blood pressure
  3. aThe recommendations in this table also apply to older adults aged 65–74 years with declining health and functional status
  4. bInstrumental ADLs, which require greater complexity and effort—such as shopping, meal preparation, medication management, financial management, and use of public transportation—are assessed using tools such as the Lawton scale
  5. cBasic ADLs, including mobility, stair climbing, bathing, toileting, eating, dressing, and continence, are assessed using tools such as the Barthel Index