title: Evidence-based diuretic therapy for improving cardiovascular prognosis in systemic hypertension.
abstract: Diuretics are among the most commonly prescribed cardiovascular (CV) medications. The strength of evidence supporting the effectiveness of diuretics in lowering blood pressure and for preventing major adverse CV events in patients with hypertension varies considerably among diuretic classes and even among agents within the same class. Unfortunately, common prescribing habits among American physicians, including specialists in CV diseases, are not in line with the existing evidence regarding diuretic therapy for improving CV prognosis. In conclusion, although hydrochlorothiazide is the standard diuretic used for hypertension, the outcomes data suggest that chlorthalidone, indapamide, and possibly even the aldosterone receptor blockers (spironolactone and eplerenone) may be superior agents.
authors.affiliation: Mid America Heart and Vascular Institute, Saint Luke's Hospital and University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Firas J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Al Badarin
authors.forename: Mohammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abuannadi
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavie
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics