title: Antihypertensive therapy. Concepts and new agents.
abstract: Over the past decade we have witnessed a metamorphosis in the treatment of hypertension. First, nonpharmacological modalities are employed and are followed by a stepped-care program with pharmacological entities including diuretic, beta-adrenergic receptor blocking, antiadrenergic, angiotensin-inhibiting, and vasodilating agents. Precisely how beta-adrenergic blocking drugs reduce arterial pressure still remains to be elucidated, and we still do not understand precisely how the diuretics, direct-acting smooth muscle relaxants, or even the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors work. Nevertheless, it is clear that clinical studies directed toward these questions as well as toward other new classes of antihypertensive agents (including how the calcium-entry blockers, serotonin inhibitors, and others affect vascular smooth muscle contractility) should provide continued enlightenment as to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of essential hypertension.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Frohlich
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002216:Captopril