Use a Thiazide Diuretic First for Hypertension

Abstract

ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) are superior to placebo for preventing adverse cardiovascular events, but how effective are they relative to diuretics? In the ALLHAT randomized study, researchers compared 3 antihypertensive agents -- a CCB (amlodipine; 2.5-10 mg/day), an ACEI (lisinopril; 10-40 mg/day), and an alpha-blocker (doxazosin) -- with standard diuretic …