title: Targeting the renin-angiotensin system for the reduction of cardiovascular outcomes in hypertension: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers.
abstract: Agents that counteract the negative impact of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are effective antihypertensives and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Contrary to common perception, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors do not share the apparent benefit of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in reducing risk of cardiovascular-disease outcomes, particularly stroke, in randomised clinical trials. RAAS agents, especially ARBs, are well tolerated. Use of ARBs alone or in combination with other classes of antihypertensive agents to lower blood pressure and/or medications to control other conditions (e.g., insulin sensitivity) reduces risk of cardiovascular disease outcomes and Type 2 diabetes with excellent tolerability. Selected issues related to use of RAAS agents as antihypertensive therapies (e.g., Type 2 diabetes, global risk management, multiple drug therapy and coronary heart disease) are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo N-0407, Norway. sverrekj@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Sverre E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kjeldsen
authors.forename: Paulette A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lyle
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tershakovec
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Devereux
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oparil
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dahlöf
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: de Faire
authors.forename: Frej
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fyhrquist
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ibsen
authors.forename: Krister
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kristianson
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lederballe-Pedersen
authors.forename: Lars H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lindholm
authors.forename: Markku S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nieminen
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Omvik
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wedel
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000502:physiology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin