title: The stepped-care approach to the treatment of hypertension in Black patients.
abstract: The Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (USA) has recommended the stepped-care approach to the treatment of hypertension. It should be modified in Black hypertensive patients on a cost-effective basis. This is based on the following reasons: (i) beta-blockers are not as effective as diuretics in the treatment of Black hypertensive patients; (ii) Black hypertensive patients probably respond better to vasodilators; and (iii) the cost of therapy on a long-term basis in developing countries should be considered, and drugs such as reserpine will continue to play a valuable role.
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*