Abstract It is a well known fact that hypertension is a silent killer. Is it too silent or can we identify some underlying predictors of mortality? Isolated systolic hypertension, isolated diastolic hypertension and the difference of systolic and diastolic pressure i.e. pulse pressure, each have their role to play in affecting the outcome of hypertension - the most common cardiovascular disease. The present case-control study was planned to determine the effect of these parameters as predictors of all cause mortality in patients aged 60 yrs and above who were either discharged or expired after at least one week of inpatient care at a tertiary level hospital of north India. We conclude that undiagnosed hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension and wide pulse pressure (>60.3 ± 16.2 mm of hg) are associated with increased mortality in the hospitalized elderly patients.
Keywords: Mortality; Hypertension; Isolated Systolic; Pulse Pressure.