Initial antihypertensive therapy. What are the current drugs of choice?
The goal of antihypertensive treatment, in addition to lowering blood pressure, is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Until recently, however, only conventional treatment with diuretics and beta-blockers had been studied in terms of cardiovascular end points. In this article, Dr Yeun reviews the results of recent trials comparing these agents with other classes of antihypertensive drugs. She examines the confounding elements in the trials, provides an interpretation of study results, and suggests a practical approach to initial treatment of uncomplicated hypertension.
Yeun
J Y
JY
Nephrology Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA. jyyeun@ucdavis.edu
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics