[Can treatment of hypertension prevent myocardial infarction? New controlled clinical trials are proposed].
The only antihypertensive treatment regimen with documented effect on morbidity and mortality from stroke and coronary heart disease is based on diuretics and/or beta-blockers. However, new antihypertensive drugs are now widely used. These compounds may also prevent cardiovascular complications, but, as yet, this has not been proven. The clinical trials of the 1990s such as STOP II, CAPPP and NORDIL will test whether antihypertensive treatment with ACE-inhibitors and calcium-blockers are more effective than diuretics and beta-blockers in preventing cardiovascular complications. Also, a large-scale study (HOT) is being undertaken to examine how far diastolic blood pressure should be treated, and whether a small dose of aspirin has a protective effect when combined with good control of blood pressure. These studies will hopefully lead to better guidelines for the future treatment of hypertension.
Kjeldsen
S E
SE
Medisinsk klinikk, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.
Syvertsen
J O
JO
Lund-Johansen
P
P
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics
Kan hypertensjonsbehandling forebygge hjerteinfarkt? Nye kontrollerte kliniske forsøk igangsettes.