Hypertension

Abstract

An estimated 58 million Americans are at increased risk of morbidity and premature death due to high blood pressure (BP) and require some type of therapy or systematic monitoring. This article focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertension, new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of secondary hypertension, and current views of the most appropriate nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy for essential hypertension. In view of the extremely high prevalence of the disorder, emphasis is placed on efficient and cost-effective strategies for diagnosing and managing the hypertensive patient. Recent evidence indicates that nonpharmacologic therapy, including dietary potassium and calcium supplements, reduction of salt intake, weight loss for the obese patient, regular exercise, a diet high in fiber and low in cholesterol and saturated fats, smoking cessation, and moderation of alcohol consumption produces significant sustained reductions in BP while reducing overall cardiovascular risk. Accordingly, nonpharmacologic antihypertensive therapy should be included in the treatment of all hypertensive patients. In persons with mild hypertension, nonpharmacologic approaches may adequately reduce BP, thereby avoiding the expense and potential side effects of drug therapy. In patients with more severe hypertension, nonpharmacologic therapy, used in conjunction with pharmacologic therapy, can reduce the dosage of antihypertensive medications necessary for BP control. Patients treated with nonpharmacologic therapy only should be followed closely, and if BP control is not satisfactory, drug therapy should be added. The large number of drugs available for use in hypertension treatment, coupled with our rapidly expanding knowledge of the pathophysiology of hypertension and of the adverse effects of these drugs in individual patient groups, make it possible to individualize antihypertensive treatment. When used as monotherapy, most agents effectively lower BP in the majority of patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension. Thus, a single agent from one of four classes: diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and β-adrenergic blockers, usually provides effective BP control with minimal side effects in most patients. Therapy should be initiated with the agent most likely to be effective in BP lowering and best tolerated. If the initial agent is ineffective at maximal recommended therapeutic doses or has undue side effects, an alternative agent from another class should be tried. When monotherapy is unsuccessful, a second agent, usually of a different mechanism of action, should be added. Additional agents should be added or substituted as necessary to provide effective and well-tolerated BP control. The prescription of antihypertensive therapy should take into consideration the physiologic, economic, and social characteristics of each patient in order to provide effective BP control as simply and as inexpensively as possible. Expensive, complicated, and inconvenient regimens promote poor compliance. Patient involvement in his/her own care should be encouraged. Keeping patients informed of their illness and having patients measure and record their own BPs improves blood BP control.