J Korean Soc Hypertens 2011;17(3):85-94 85 Antihypertensive Therapy Considering the Prevention of Vascular Aging

Considering that an aging population is increasing due to a low birth rate in most developed nations, the maintenance of healthy state and physical and social activities is needed to maintain the national productivities. Among the diseases which deprive elderly people of activities and impose medical and care expenditure, cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, heart failure and renal failure take major parts. These cardiovascular diseases occur based on the development and progression of arteriosclerotic vascular lesions, namely, vascular aging. Because hypertension is a major risk factor for vascular aging, the adequate control of blood pressure is pivotally important in order to prevent the incidence of cardiovascular events in the later stage of life. This is also concerned with the socio-economical issues and nationa