Outcomes from treatment. Clinical applications from recent trials.
BACKGROUND
Several recent studies have addressed issues including the optimum blood pressure target and differences between antihypertensive drug classes in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
To review the results of several recent and topical hypertension trials.


CONCLUSIONS
There is remaining uncertainty about the optimal blood pressure target with the exception of diabetics in whom aggressive blood pressure reduction has been shown to be more effective in reducing morbidity and mortality than less aggressive reduction. It remains unclear whether there are differences between antihypertensive drug classes in their ability to reduce cardiovascular events. At least two studies have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve good blood pressure control in the majority of hypertensive patients if two or more antihypertensive drugs are used.
Howes
L G
LG
Department of Clinical Pharmacology University of NSW, St George Hospital, New South Wales.
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents