Long-term management of hypertension.
The ambulatory management of hypertension is relatively simple. A key factor in the success of any program is motivation of both the physician and the patient. Workup should be limited to a few simple tests as outlined; need rarely, if ever, involve hospitalization; and can be completed in one or two office or clinic visits. Treatment of hypertion over a long-term period involves the use of specific drug therapy, although some slight modification of lifestyle or diet is occasionally helpful. There are numerous drugs available, and in over 80 to 85 percent of cases, an effective combination can be found. Drug therapy must be continuous; it is rare, in our experience, that medication can be completely discontinued. Data available from the Veterans Administration study, as well as my own, clearly indicate that effective lowering of blood pressure over a long period of time is cost-effective and delays or prevents numerous complications that are frequently noted in untreated patients.
D000328:Adult; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006145:Guanethidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000009:adverse effects; D046948:Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004232:Diuretics; D046948:Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids; D008750:Methyldopa; D011433:Propranolol; D006145:Guanethidine