title: Optimal treatment of hypertension in African Americans. Reaching and maintaining target blood pressure goals.
abstract: Treatment of hypertension in African Americans has special challenges, including a lack of objective trial data on which to base decisions and differing benefits and responses than with other patients. However, adequate control is possible and should be the goal of treating physicians. This article describes current "best practice" guidance on appropriate treatment of high blood pressure in African Americans. Two patient scenarios offer insight into clinical strategies.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Preventive Medicine and Internal Medicine, Rush Hypertension Clinical Research Center, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, 1700 W Van Buren St, Suite 470, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. gbakris@rush.edu
authors.forename: George L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Bakris
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ferdinand
authors.forename: Janice G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sowers
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019985:Benchmarking; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics