Antihypertensive Drug Use in the Long‐Term Care Facility: A Pilot Study and Review of the Literature

The overuse and cost of drugs in long‐term care facilities are of significant concern. To quantify potential overuse of antihypertensive agents, we conducted a retrospective chart review in four long‐term care facilities. We analyzed data in 550 patient records to identify residents receiving drugs for the sole indication of hypertension. Of the 550 records, 49 (9%) residents qualified. Of these, 20 (41%) had all recorded blood pressures less than 140/90 mm Hg for the 6 months before review, and 32 (65%) had all blood pressures less than 160/90 mm Hg. Given this degree of blood pressure control and the reported success of withdrawing antihypertensive drugs from the elderly in whom the disorder is well controlled, a reevaluation of antihypertensive therapy in residents of long‐term care facilities appears to be justified. 1995 Pharmacotherapy Publications Inc.