title: Drug treatment of high blood pressure.
abstract: The effective drug treatment of hypertension has become a reality over the past 25 years. People no longer need die from complications of untreated hypertension. Pharmacologic treatment is available with a variety of antihypertensive drugs: diuretics, central nervous system agents, alpha-adrenergic blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, vasodilator, and new drugs that are still under investigation. The desired outcome of a lowered blood pressure can usually be achieved by the stepped-care approach coupled with nonpharmacologic measures. Individualization of therapy, however, is essential.
mesh_terms: D018663:Adrenergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents