Flavonoids in the treatment of hypertension in geriatric patients

Geriatric patients belong to a group over 65 years old. In general these patients present multiple chronic diseases and impairments with disability, body mass diminished and generalized fatigue. On the other hand, a high percentage of these patients have cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, several studies suggest that associated with drugs treatment consumption of natural products such as flavonoids, contribute to improve the quality of life of geriatric patients. The aim of this work is to review in literature the effect of flavonoids in vascular protection of older adults.

Literature review indicates that the intake of flavonoids significantly reduces the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Likewise, its consumption is associated with an improvement in endothelial function, since they act regulating different kinases like protein kinase B, nitric oxide synthase and the consequent synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which leads to improve vasodilation. Finally, flavonoids also act to regulate the functioning of other kinases, phophodiesterases, ion channels diminishing vascular inflammation.

Foods enriched in polyphenols improve endothelial function by promoting vascular dilation and lowering blood pressure.