title: ACE inhibitors and diuretics. The benefits of combined therapy for hypertension.
abstract: Hypertension and its consequences continue to threaten the health of as many as 60 million Americans. Effective control of blood pressure can be achieved in some patients with a single agent and in many of the remainder with combination therapy. The ideal combination regimen is one that is at least as effective as a single agent, has minimal or no side effects, has a wide therapeutic index, is simple to administer, and is effective in a wide variety of patient populations. When used in combination, the thiazide diuretics and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been shown to improve blood pressure reduction over either drug used alone. In addition, the combination is effective in a wide range of patient populations (blacks and whites, young and old) and is accompanied by fewer adverse metabolic effects than the thiazides alone. Finally, the combination has a more positive impact on quality of life than other combinations involving the thiazide diuretics.
authors.affiliation: Westside Family Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruoff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors