title: Combination therapy in hypertension.
abstract: Hypertension is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases and represents the leading cause of mortality worldwide. In spite of proven benefits of hypertension treatment, blood pressure control rates are poor, even in high-income countries with virtually full-access to therapies. Nearly 75% of hypertensive patients do not achieve adequate control with monotherapy, thus needing combination treatment. Strategies to improve blood pressure control include the prompt shift from monotherapy to combination therapy, the initial treatment with a two-drug combination, and the use of fixed-dose combinations in a single pill. Currently, preferred combinations include a renin-angiotensin blocker, either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin-receptor blocker plus a calcium channel blocker or a diuretic. Some patients will also require a triple combination to achieve blood pressure control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gorostidi
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de la Sierra
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics