Final answer:
The initial treatment for otherwise healthy older adults with hypertension involves the use of thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or beta-blockers. These medications help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The initial treatment for otherwise healthy older adults with hypertension, according to JNC 8 guidelines, involves the use of thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or beta-blockers. These medications help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, work by promoting the elimination of sodium and water through urine, leading to a decrease in blood volume and blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the production of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels, thus helping to lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine, relax the muscles of blood vessels, allowing them to widen and lower blood pressure. Beta-blockers, like metoprolol, reduce the heart rate and decrease the force of contraction, resulting in lower blood pressure.