Diabetes and hypertension: which is the best approach?
Evaluation of: Ostergren J, Poulter NR, Sever PS et al. The Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial: blood pressure-lowering limb: effects in patients with Type II diabetes. J. Hypertens. 26, 2103-2111 (2008). Although blood pressure control is crucial to improve cardiovascular prognosis in patients with diabetes and hypertension, less than 10% of these patients attain blood pressure goals. European guidelines recommend that combined therapy should be used as first-line treatment in this population. The next step in the treatment of these patients is to determine which combination is preferable for each situation. The results of the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial demonstrated the benefits of amlodipine-based treatment on the incidence of total cardiovascular events and procedures, compared with atenolol-based treatment. In this article the potential explanations of these results are discussed.
Escobar
Carlos
C
Department of Cardiology, Hospital Infanta Sofia, Madrid, Spain. escobar_cervantes_carlos@hotmail.com
Barrios
Vivencio
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D017311:Amlodipine; D001262:Atenolol