Angiotensin II-receptor antagonist in the treatment of hypertension.
Effective treatment of high blood pressure levels represents a crucial point in reducing global cardiovascular risk, and several studies have clearly demonstrated a significant reduction in cardiovascular and renal morbidity and mortality with a more intensive blood pressure-lowering treatment. Other factors beyond blood pressure control may be important in reducing the risk related to hypertension. Pharmacologic agents blocking the renin-angiotensin system, in particular the angiotensin II-receptor blocker (ARB), a novel class of antihypertensive agents, represent an important addition to the therapeutic options for hypertension management, and recent large, international, randomized, trials have demonstrated that ARBs have clinical benefits across the spectrum of disease severity. In this article, we provide some evidence derived from these trials, supporting a role for ARBs in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and renal disease, beyond blood pressure control.
Volpe
Massimo
M
Division of Cardiology, II Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Ospedale Sant'Andrea, Via di Grottarossa, 1035-39, 00189 Rome, Italy. volpema@uniroma1.it
Tocci
Giuliano
G
Pagannone
Erika
E
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents